Temple Grad Launches Program to Promote Postsecondary Success
Hershey, PA (PRWEB) February 19, 2014 -- Milton Hershey School® (MHS) Senior VP and Chief Operating Officer Peter Gurt (‘85 MHS and ‘89 Temple) is implementing a partnership with Temple University to offer college-level courses to low-income high school students. The new program is the latest example of Gurt’s commitment to promoting postsecondary success for students from underprivileged backgrounds. Continued leadership in developing innovative opportunities for learning has produced results at MHS. While 40 percent of low-income college students earn a degree within six years, 56 percent of MHS graduates do so. MHS has a number of transition services and programs in place to support its alumni.
"After graduating from Milton Hershey School, I was fortunate to receive the many benefits of an education from Temple University. It is very gratifying to be able to share Temple’s academic excellence with MHS students, and unite two fine institutions from which I learned so much," Gurt said.
A recent White House summit and initiative to increase college opportunity for low-income students has sparked a national dialogue. Efforts to expand college access for minority and low-income high school graduates have been ongoing at MHS for the last several years. This new college-readiness program is one more tool to help our diverse student body gain access to higher education.
Temple University faculty members will teach courses on the MHS campus to a selected group of high school students. Students may enroll in 15 credits of college-level courses during their senior year to help prepare them for a full-time college-level course load. Students will also participate in a four-week internship with Hershey Entertainment & Resorts or The Hershey Company. The program will begin in the 2014-15 academic school year.
Gurt was born in Philadelphia. After graduating from MHS in 1985, he attended Temple and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Fox School of Business. In 1998, he graduated with a Masters of Education from The Pennsylvania State University.
About Milton Hershey School
Milton Hershey School is a cost-free, private, coeducational home and school for children from families of low income, limited resources, and social need. The School is funded by a trust established by Milton S. Hershey and his wife Catherine. Milton Hershey School offers a positive, structured home life year-round and an excellent pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade education. Our vision focuses on building character and providing children with the skills necessary to be successful in all aspects of life. Go to http://www.mhskids.org to learn more.
Keri Straub, Milton Hershey School, http://www.mhs-pa.org/, +1 (717) 520-2212, [email protected]
Share this article