THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

PRESIDENT CLINTON NAMES EARL WILSON, JR., TO THE PRESIDENT'S BOARD OF

ADVISORS ON HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

The President today announced his intent to appoint Earl Wilson, Jr., as a member of the President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Earl Wilson, Jr., of St. Louis, Missouri, is the President and Executive Director of the Saint Louis Gateway Classic Sports Foundation. The Foundation sponsors an annual football game featuring black colleges, as well as other sports and educational activities. The Foundation has contributed over $1.5 million for scholarships and other educational programs to the local community. In December 1998, Mr. Wilson retired from IBM, where he had worked for more than twenty-six years. He was also the Vice President for Sales and Director of Marketing for the 1994 U.S. Olympic Festival. Mr. Wilson has received numerous professional and civic awards for service to his community. Among them are The Malcolm X Distinguished Service Award, the Urban League Guild Achievement Award, the Public School Achievement Award, and the Better Life Achievement Award.

Mr. Wilson received a B.S. from Lincoln University. He has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Harris Stowe State College, Lincoln University, and the University of Pine Bluff.

The President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities advises the President and the Secretary of Education on the development of a federal program designed to achieve an increase in the participation of historically black colleges and universities in federally sponsored programs; and advises on increasing the private sector role in strengthening historically black colleges and universities. Particular emphasis is given to facilitating technical, planning, and development advice to historically black colleges and universities, with the goal of ensuring their viability.

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