Thurgood Marshall College Fund Member Universities Professional Institute Answers Doubts of HBCU Continued Relevancy

NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) has launched the registration site for its annual Member Universities Professional Institute (MUPI). On March 20-23, 2011 the conference, themed "HBCUs Under Attack: What Must We Do?" will take place in Orlando, Florida at the Buena Vista Palace Hotel and Spa.  MUPI will be TMCF's first conference centered on our country's conversation about the future of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

If you've been following the criticism in media outlets like The Chronicle of Higher Education and The Wall Street Journal, it may seem that HBCUs could soon be facing extinction. TMCF, an organization that has provided public HBCUs and their students with support through scholarships, capacity building, programs, public policy and advocacy for over two decades, is determined to silence the negative chatter with action and results. As the strongest voice for HBCUs, TMCF has resolved to take the lead in working with its member schools to find contemporary solutions.

In recent years, TMCF's impressive student scholars were included in MUPI; but this year the faculty-driven conference is going back to the basics. TMCF member school Presidents, Chancellors, Law School Deans, administrators, faculty and staff will participate in cutting edge sessions that share best practices, business methods and strategies to secure their future. The conference is streamlined into three essential strands: Funding & Development; Retention & Graduation; and Student Relations & Engagement.

Every topic of the conference is handpicked to reflect vital issues HBCUs face in today's political and economic climate. Among the compelling and influential guest speakers are William H. Gray, Co-Chairman for GrayLoeffler, LLC and a former President of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF); John Silvanus Wilson, Jr., Executive Director for the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities; and Jason L. Riley, member of The Wall Street Journal Editorial Board. Riley, who penned the contentious "Black Colleges Need a New Mission" pegging HBCUs as academically inferior, is sure to spark spirited discussion.  With this customized, riveting agenda, TMCF constituents have a unique opportunity to collaborate with their peers toward a common goal.

Registration for MUPI is complimentary for member school Presidents, Chancellors and Law School Deans, and $350.00 for member school administrators, faculty, staff and School Reform participants. Up to February 14, 2011, a limited number of general registrants will receive special concessions for early registration. For more information, and to register for this conference, please visit http://www.thurgoodmarshallfund.net/events/mupi-2011.

ABOUT THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Inc. (TMCF), named for the U.S. Supreme Court's first African American Justice, was established in 1987 and represents the nation's 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities, 6 law schools (HBCUs) and the 235,000 students matriculating on their campuses. With TMCF member schools educating approximately 80% of all students attending HBCUs, the organization's work is critical to guaranteeing our country a robust and diverse pipeline of talented workers and future leaders. TMCF achieves its vision of Changing the World . . . One Leader at a Time by focusing on three areas: Scholarships, Capacity Building & Programmatic Support, and Public Policy & Advocacy.

TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt charitable organization.  For up-to-the-minute information about TMCF and its initiatives, visit www.thurgoodmarshallfund.org.

SOURCE Thurgood Marshall College Fund