AT&T Foundation and University of the Incarnate Word Officially Break Ground for Feik School of Pharmacy
$1.5 Million AT&T Foundation Grant Will Support Technology Infrastructure for the New Facility and Enhance High-Tech Resources Throughout the Campus
San Antonio, Texas, May 2, 2006
The AT&T Foundation announced today a $1.5 million technology grant to the University of the Incarnate Word to support the development of technology infrastructure for the Feik School of Pharmacy facility. The state-of-the-art 56,000-square-foot facility will house a pharmacy museum in the main lobby and will serve as a venue for conferences, meetings and community events. The building will also include several high-tech computer laboratories, lounge areas, classrooms and faculty offices.
The grant will help UIW stay competitive in the ever-advancing arena of technology and enable students to meet the challenges of the evolving job market. The new programs and technologies will also help alleviate the nation's shortage of and growing demand for qualified pharmacists, specifically in Texas. New technologies that will be integrated into the facility include computers, sound and lighting systems, audiovisual equipment, fiber-optic network upgrades and new lab facilities. UIW's new pharmacy school will also be the first of its kind at a private institution in the United States to offer a Spanish-language certificate track.
"As a pharmacist myself, I am particularly pleased to be a part of a project that will help so many people," said Sen. Leticia Van de Putte. "The university, its students and, ultimately, the community itself will all benefit from this facility. We need more qualified pharmacists, and UIW students will be at the forefront of filling that void."
"Through this new facility, UIW students will gain invaluable experience in pharmaceutical studies with access to state-of-the-art resources and the most up-to-date technology," said John Montford, AT&T senior vice president-Western Region Legislative and Regulatory Affairs.
"We commend the work of Senator Van de Putte for her continuing support of higher education and university officials for making this facility a reality. We are pleased to continue a valued history of partnership with the University of the Incarnate Word and its faculty, staff and students."
The AT&T Foundation recently awarded another $1.5 million grant that helped fund the renovation and construction of the new math, science, and engineering complex and the creation of the AT&T Science Center, located on the main campus.
Today's official groundbreaking ceremony took place at the corner of Hildebrand and Devine, just west of the main UIW campus. The event is one of many commemorations taking place as part of Celebration 2006, which marks the university's 125th anniversary.
About AT&T Inc.
AT&T Inc. is one of the world's largest telecommunications holding companies and is the largest in the United States. Operating globally under the AT&T brand, AT&T companies are recognized as the leading worldwide providers of IP-based communications services to business and as leading U.S. providers of high speed DSL Internet, local and long distance voice, and directory publishing and advertising services. AT&T Inc. holds a 60 percent ownership interest in Cingular Wireless, which is the No. 1 U.S. wireless services provider with 55.8 million wireless customers. Additional information about AT&T Inc. and AT&T products and services is available at www.att.com.
The new AT&T Foundation, the philanthropic arm of AT&T Inc., supports programs that build communities and improve access to information technologies, technology training and professional skills development. The new AT&T Foundation will provide more than $60 million in 2006 in charitable contributions, thereby, placing it among the top five largest corporate foundations in the country. The new AT&T Foundation combines more than 40 years and $1.7 billion of philanthropic commitment to communities across the country.
