EDUCATION SECRETARY APPOINTS HU PRESIDENT TO LEAD NATIONAL BOARD

Hampton, VA - Hampton University President William R. Harvey was appointed as the chairman of the National Board of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education by U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige, on March 25, 2004. Harvey's three-year term begins immediately.

" Dr. Harvey's vast financial knowledge and excellent leadership ability will be valuable resources as he serves as chairman of the National Board of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education," Paige said. "He has a proven track record for success establishing Hampton University as one of the premiere black colleges in the country. Under Dr. Harvey's leadership, Hampton has improved in the areas of finances, academic development and enrollment. Dr. Harvey is committed to excellence and will serve this board well."

The 15-member board advises Paige and the Director of the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) on priorities for the improvement of postsecondary education and for the evaluation, dissemination, and adaptation of demonstrated improvements in postsecondary educational practice. The fund dispenses approximately $171 million per year.

“ The Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education has long had a well deserved reputation for innovations related to quality at the postsecondary level,” Harvey said. “Today, with projects in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and the European countries, I am exceedingly proud to be a part of and provide leadership and service to such worthwhile ventures.”

Harvey has been appointed to national boards by five U.S. presidents. He has served on the President’s National Advisory Council on Elementary and Secondary Education, the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Service, the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education, the Commission on Presidential Scholars, the President’s Advisory Board on Historically Black Colleges and the U. S. Department of Commerce Minority Development Advisory Board.

Harvey also serves as a board member of Fannie Mae, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and Wachovia Bank Mid Atlantic Region.

Harvey's achievements were recently recognized by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), being named the Chief Executive Officer of the Year for 2004.

A native of Brewton, Ala., Harvey is also owner of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Houghton, Mich., and has held his current post as president of HU for over 26 years. He earned his doctorate in College Administration from Harvard University in 1972. Prior to assuming his current position, he served as administrative vice president at Tuskegee University; administrative assistant to the President at Fisk University; and as assistant for Governmental Affairs to the Dean of the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University.