News Release 99-55

For Release: June 29, 1999

Barbara L. Kakiris
(Bus: 216/433-2513)

Lori J. Rachul
(Bus: 216/433-8806)

Hairston Awarded United Cerebral Palsy Humanitarian Award

John M. Hairston, Jr., director of External Programs at NASA Glenn Research Center, is being awarded the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by United Cerebral Palsy—the President’s Humanitarian Award.

Hairston is honored by United Cerebral Palsy for his efforts in the High School/High Tech program, a collaboration between Glenn, United Cerebral Palsy and Cleveland area schools. The program facilitates students’ interest in scientific and technological careers by providing mentoring, job experience and educational outreach to program participants. As a result, students have a higher rate of college enrollment and job placement.

"High School/High Tech has literally taken off like a rocket, thanks to the enthusiastic support it has received from John Hairston and NASA Glenn’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Educational Programs," said Dr. Susan A. Dean, executive director for United Cerebral Palsy.

Hairston receives the award today at 12:15 p.m. during United Cerebral Palsy’s joint annual meeting and formal ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Iris S. and Bert L. Wolstein Center, located at 10011 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH. The state-of-the-art Wolstein Center is the only habilitation facility in Ohio to house services for infants, children and adults with developmental disabilities.

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