July 13, 2009

Editors: On Thursday (July 16) in Bloomington, the first African-American to walk in space and the namesake of Indiana University's 2009 ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp will be available to meet with media while also visiting the approximately 90 rising fifth-, sixth- and seventh-grade students attending the free two-week camp.

WHAT: Indiana University and the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs are hosting a media day as part of the ExxonMobil Bernard Harris Summer Science Camp. The camp is designed to stimulate interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in underrepresented middle school students.

The Harris Foundation was founded in 1998 with a mission to invest in community-based initiatives to support education, including science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Facing a critical shortage of professionals in these areas, the Harris Foundation has partnered with ExxonMobil to provide 30 free two-week summer camps across the country.

WHO: Dr. Bernard Harris, a medical doctor, flight surgeon and former astronaut who in 1995 became the first African-American to walk in space. In addition, Cory Gandert, a mechanical engineer at ExxonMobil's Joliet, Ill., refinery, will be a guest and media speaker.

WHERE: Frangipani Room, Indiana Memorial Union, Bloomington, Ind.

WHEN: Luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m.; student events and media day follow from 1:30-3 p.m.