WASHINGTON, D.C. - William E. Kirwan, Ph.D., chancellor of the University System of Maryland, will receive Minority Access' highest honor, National Innovator Award, at the Role Models Awards Banquet on Sunday, September 19 at the Hilton Washington Hotel.

Dr. Kirwan, a widely respected academic leader, became the third chancellor of the University System of Maryland on August 1, 2002. The System is comprised of 11 colleges and universities and two research institutes and is governed by a 17-member board of regents. As chancellor, Dr. Kirwan serves as the Board's chief of staff and the System's chief executive officer.

Before his appointment to chancellor, Dr. Kirwan served as president of Ohio State University for four years and as president of the University of Maryland, College Park for nine years. He has a bachelor's degree in mathematics from the University of Kentucky and master's and doctoral degrees in mathematics from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Dr. Kirwan is a member of many honorary and professional societies, including Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, the American Mathematical Society, and the Mathematical Association of America. A prolific scholar, he is co-editor of the book Advances in Complex Analysis and has published many articles on mathematical research.

"It is truly a honor to present the Minority Access 2004 National Innovator Role Model Award to Dr. William E. Kirwan," stated Andrea Mickle, president and chief executive officer of Minority Access, Inc. "His commitment to the institutionalization of campus diversity and increasing the number of underrepresented minorities in higher education is nationally known and worthy of emulation."

Created out of a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Institutes of Health and Minority Access, Inc., the annual Role Models Conference is an opportunity to focus the national spotlight on individuals who have excelled in producing and supporting minority researchers. "Resources to Tap to Close the Gap," Minority Access' Fifth National Role Models Conference will attract college presidents, administrators, faculty members, researchers, students and high school guidance counselors from across the nation.

Minority Access, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization that supports individuals, institutions, federal, state, and local government agencies, and various corporations to diversify campuses and work sites by improving the recruitment, retention and enhancement of minorities.

Contact: Anne Moultrie

Phone: 301/445-2722
E-mail: amoultrie@usmd.edu