40th anniversary celebration for University of Detroit Mercy's Project 100

• Source: CBS

Drakzin Wangmo

October 14th - 17th

The University of Detroit (now University of Detroit Mercy) established a Special Projects Office in 1968 to serve as a demonstration model of the positive accomplishments that can be achieved by a private institution through the expenditure of intelligent, sincere and conscientious effort.

One particularly successful program was Project 100, which recruited and enrolled 100, mostly African American, inner-city public and parochial high school graduates per year for six years - the students had high academic potential but otherwise would have been unable to attend U of D. 

The progress of the first class was followed in all the local media. The five year graduation rate for the first class was a remarkable 62%. A lasting influence of Project 100 is the Black Madonna and Child statue on the McNichols campus of University of Detroit Mercy. 

Commemorative events to celebrate the 40th anniversary, including several academic symposiums, will be held Oct. 14 to 17, 2008. All former Project 100 and/or Special Projects students, staff, faculty and administration are invited to attend.

Registration and background information is available at www.udmercy.edu/project100.