Supporting diversity in the technology fields
By Fred Green Jr. Of the NNPA
When my oldest was in college, she decided to major in engineering. My wife and I felt this was further indication that our emphasis on education in general and math and science in particular was paying off.
When she decided to attend an HBCU (Historically Black College or University), we were overjoyed. We both attended such schools and knew that she would receive an exemplary education with strong encouragement to stay the course and graduate. HBCU’s only attract about 10-15 percent of all black high school graduates but are responsible for 70-80 percent of all black college graduates.
Soon after, she joined an organization called NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers). The organization has an interesting history. In 1971, two Purdue undergraduate students, Edward Barnette (now deceased) and Fred Cooper approached the dean of engineering at Purdue University with the concept of starting the Black Society of Engineers (BSE). They wanted to establish a student organization to help improve the recruitment and retention of black engineering students. In the late 1960s, a devastating 80 percent of black freshmen entering the engineering program dropped out. The dean agreed to the idea and assigned the only black faculty member, Arthur J. Bond, as advisor.
Anthony Harris, president of the Purdue chapter, wrote a letter to the presidents and deans of every accredited engineering program in the country, a total of 288, explaining the concept and asking them to identify black student leaders, organizations and faculty members who might support their efforts on a national basis.
Approximately 80 schools responded. A date was set for a first national meeting, and 48 students representing 32 schools attended the event, held April 10-12, 1975. It was at that historic meeting through majority vote, that SBE became the National Society of Black Engineers. The familiar NSBE symbol ”N” with lightning bolts was chosen.
To this day NSBE is a student-run organization but attracts as its sponsors and advisors the very best the engineering and business fields have to offer.
Bill Gates recently made the keynote address at the NSBE Region Six 2007 Fall Regional & Professional Development Conference. Microsoft is an important sponsor of NSBE.
“Microsoft and the National Society of Black Engineers have many common goals including a passion to attract more African-American students to enter science, technology, engineering, and math fields,” said Carl Mack, executive director, NSBE.
According to NSBE’s last survey, Microsoft has eclipsed IBM as the employer of choice among black engineers. Microsoft sees diversity as an important part of maintaining its edge.
“At Microsoft, we recognize that a workforce made up of smart people from different backgrounds and with different perspectives is what drives innovation,” said Bill Gates.
“That is why Microsoft is deeply committed to working with the NSBE to foster diversity in the IT field by supporting programs that create educational opportunities and encourage African-American students to explore careers in science and technology.”
Such exposure, introduced early enough, can give students a love for these fields that last a life time. NSBE also believes that early exposure is key and backed this belief by offering the Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK), a three-week technology camp in Washington, D.C., primarily for inner-city minority youth. The camp was extremely successful and served over 290 students. There are plans to offer the program every year.
This program is part of an overall approach with includes Save Our Kids, a NSBE Alumni Extension program benefiting the NSBE Jr. members of the society. The purpose of this program is to promote and honor academic excellence and to promote technical awareness in these students by awarding trips to NSBE National Conventions.
Unfortunately for both Microsoft and NSBE, recent studies show the number of American students taking the math and science courses necessary to prepare them for careers in technology in general and engineering in particular are dwindling. America is facing an up-hill battle in its fight to develop the best and brightest to work for our future technology needs.
5th Ward Employment/Education Fair
On Thursday, March 2 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Rhema Church, located at 2233 Cass Ave., 5th Ward Alderwoman April Ford-Griffin, Community Renewal and Development, Inc, Better Family Life/Project CREATE and the Rhema Church will sponsor the 4th Annual 5th Ward Employment/Education Fair. Over 50 agencies and institutions are scheduled to participate in the free event and attendees are encouraged to bring their resumes. For more information, call 289-9900 or 588-2199.
