The University of Colorado at Boulder was recognized by President Barack Obama for its commitment to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education on Wednesday.
CU-Boulder Chancellor Phil DiStefano was at the White House, where the president announced Wednesday his intention to expand his Educate to Innovate campaign. The campaign aims to refocus the nation’s STEM education.
DiStefano was among a group of leaders from four public research universities asked to deliver a letter to Obama pledging support in addressing the national shortage of science and math teachers.
“President Obama’s recognition of our efforts to educate more science and math teachers is another mark of excellence for the CU community and the state of Colorado,” CU President Bruce Benson said in a news release.
A total of 79 university leaders signed the letter, vowing to increase the number of science and math teachers to more than 10,000 annually by 2015. CU pledged to double the number of science and math teachers it graduates by 2015.
The University of Colorado at Colorado Springs was also recognized Wednesday, as an institution that is participating in UTeach, a STEM program. UCCS Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak represented that campus at the White House.
