"The Coca-Cola Foundation funds programs that deal with all aspects of education," said John R. Alm, chief financial officer of Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc. and a 1973 graduate of UB. "The IRIS Program fits in with the foundation's mission to provide assistance for educational opportunities that make significant differences."

UB President William R. Greiner said, "By supporting this program, the Coca-Cola Foundation will strengthen our university's efforts to recruit the very best and most talented women and members of minority groups for graduate study in scientific and technical fields.

"Master's- and doctorate-level preparation in science and technology is increasingly essential for people who will lead in the knowledge-based, high-tech economy of the next century," Greiner added.

UB's Office of Public Service and Urban Affairs and Graduate School of Education will coordinate recruitment of the fellows. In addition to UB undergraduates, fellowship recipients will be selected from other SUNY institutions, as well as historically women's and African-American colleges and universities.

The Office of Public Service and Urban Affairs established the IRIS Program to increase the level of participation in the sciences by women, African Americans, Hispanic Americans and Native Americans.

With additional philanthropic support, the university will establish summer research internships for undergraduates and outreach programs to generate interest in science among elementary and secondary students.

Alm, a board member of the Coca-Cola Foundation, is an accounting alumnus of the UB School of Management. He attended two years of undergraduate study before joining the U.S. Air Force in 1968. Following his military service, Alm completed his undergraduate degree at UB. He was named to his current position at Coca-Cola Enterprises in 1992.