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TIMKEN FOUNDATION GRANTS $210,000 TO OFIC FOR MINORITY RETENTION

Columbus, Ohio – April 22, 2005 – The Timken Foundation of Canton has awarded a $210,000 grant to The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) in support of OFIC’s Minority Retention Program. The goal of the Minority Retention program is to improve minority retention and graduation rates at OFIC member colleges and universities, representing 94,000 students or about one-third of Ohio students pursuing a four-year degree.

The program will award the grant funds, through a formal application process, to OFIC member colleges and universities for research, development and implementation of programs that improve minority retention and graduation rates. Awards granted through the Minority Retention Program will enable OFIC member institutions to establish campus–based programs that create a welcoming atmosphere for minority students, faculty and staff.

These programs, which are intended to encourage, monitor, and improve the academic success of minority students, may include peer and professional mentoring and internship programs; workshops, seminars and course instruction in cultural diversity and special needs of ethnic minorities; increased/improved financial aid counseling and support of minority students; and creation of student organizations designed to provide outreach and education to the campus community in the areas of ethnic/racial diversity.

Jeffrey S. Wolf, President of OFIC, stated, “We are pleased to partner with The Timken Foundation to award funds to our member colleges in carrying out this vital program. The issue of minority retention is one of the most important facing colleges and universities today.”

The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges was founded in 1950 to conduct annual solicitations of companies and foundations to benefit private colleges in Ohio. OFIC today has 35 member institutions and more than 94,000 students. OFIC raises both unrestricted and restricted gifts including scholarships and endowments.

OFIC’s 35 member colleges and universities: Antioch College, Ashland University, Baldwin-Wallace College, Bluffton University, Capital University, Cedarville University, University of Dayton, Defiance College, Denison University, The University of Findlay, Franciscan University of Steubenville, Franklin University, Heidelberg College, Hiram College, John Carroll University, Kenyon College, Lake Erie College, Lourdes College, Malone College, Marietta College, Mount Union College, Mount Vernon Nazarene University, Muskingum College, Notre Dame College, Oberlin College, Ohio Dominican University, Ohio Northern University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Otterbein College, Urbana University, Ursuline College, Walsh University, Wilmington College, Wittenberg University and The College of Wooster.