Progress Energy has made a $25,000 gift to East Carolina University to enhance the preparation of science and math teachers in North Carolina. The funds will be used to provide scholarships for students who are pursuing licensure in lateral-entry programs at the university. ECU is a national leader in such programs, which enable individuals who hold bachelor’s degrees but who lack teaching credentials to complete state requirements while continuing to live and work in their own communities. Dr. Marilyn Sheerer, dean of the College of Education, said, “Progress Energy has a long history of supporting science and math education, and this gift is another demonstration of the company’s concern and vision. We look forward to recruiting the new students into ECU programs.” “Progress Energy is not just a power company – we are a family of people who live and work in the communities we serve. We strive to be good corporate citizens, but we also have a personal interest in educating our youth,” said Tammy Brown, manager of Community Relations for Progress Energy. “Our hope is that the scholarships created with this gift will have a positive impact on the lives of the recipients and the students they will one day teach.” North Carolina faces a growing shortage of teachers, and those who can teach science and math are among the hardest to find. More than half the school systems in the state have a vacancy in math and nearly half have a vacancy in science. | 
