Bill Gates Announces Microsoft Grants to Support Technology Education Programs in South Florida



Bill Gates, Chairman and Chief Software Architect of Microsoft, talks to student Eli Philippe at Booker T. Washington High School’s computer lab in Miami. Gates and Philippe worked on a network program during the lab tour, as Gates announced a series of Microsoft grants to South Florida schools. Click on the photo for a high resolution image Photo by Jeff Christensen

MIAMI, July 9, 2001 — Microsoft Corp. Chairman and Chief Software Architect Bill Gates today announced a series of grants — totaling $1,100,000 in computer technology and services — to South Florida schools and organizations to support technology enrichment and create opportunities for teens in underserved communities. Recipients of the gifts include four South Florida school districts, Communities in Schools of Miami’s Youth Education Town (YET) Center, and the Booker T. Washington Senior High School.

“At Microsoft, we believe that every school and every child should have access to the latest learning tools,”
Gates said.

Our goal with today’s grants is to create a technology experience for educators and their students that helps every child realize their potential.

“I want to thank Michael Dell and Dell Computer Corp. for joining with us to provide 100 computers for South Florida schools. We want to encourage creativity and exploration in the learning process, both in school and after school,”
Gates added.
“It is our hope that everyone touched by these regional schools and organizations can discover a better future through technology.”

Gates made the grant announcements from the Booker T. Washington Senior High School media center, where he was joined by Florida Commissioner of Education Charlie Crist, Dell Director of Education Marketing and Business Development Karen Bruett, and representatives from the schools and Communities in Schools of Miami. Gates was in South Florida to attend the Microsoft Global Briefing (MGB), an annual meeting of Microsoft’s international sales, marketing and product support groups.

“Because many children in the South Florida area do not have a PC or Internet access at home, we have been actively looking for ways to support computers within the community,”
Crist said.
“I want to thank Mr. Gates, Microsoft and Dell for their generosity, dedication and commitment to education. With today’s contributions, thousands of area kids will now have the latest technology at their fingertips.”

As part of the Microsoft-Dell Partners in Education Program, Microsoft and Dell donated 100 Dell Optiplex desktop computers, preinstalled with the latest Microsoft® software, to schools in the Broward, Palm Beach, Miami-Dade and St. Lucie districts. The new computers were used as part of an onsite employee lab during Microsoft’s MGB sales meeting in Miami. Microsoft will cover transportation and installation of the computers in the schools.

In addition, Dell is providing A+ Certification and Dell Certification courses to train students how to operate and maintain Windows® operating system-based Dell computers. These industry-recognized courses will help prepare students for careers in technology.

“Like Microsoft, Dell is committed to helping today’s youth reach their fullest potential through the knowledge and use of technology,”
Bruett said.
“Our goal in donating these computers is to help equip students with the skills they need to be successful in the 21st century.”

As part of today’s announcement, Gates provided details of two additional regional grants.

  • A donation of $69,000 in cash and software to Communities in Schools of Miami will be used to support two computer labs at the YET Center in Miami’s Liberty City. The YET Center provides at-risk youth and their families with a variety of academic, social and career-oriented activities designed to enhance their skills, opportunities and overall success in the community.

  • Microsoft’s software upgrades for Booker T. Washington Senior High School will enable the installation of Office XP on all 600 computers at the school.

In addition to the grants announced today, Microsoft and its employees have contributed more than $10.8 million in cash and software to Florida community organizations, education institutions and human service agencies in the past three years.

Nationally and internationally, Microsoft donated $231 million in cash and software in 2000.

Through products, programs and alliances, Microsoft is committed to building a modern learning infrastructure, providing anytime, any-place access to learning, and integrating technology into all aspects of classroom activities and school administration. Microsoft also supports technology access programs through local nonprofit organizations in underserved communities to expand learning outside the classroom.

About Microsoft

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“MSFT”
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