PPG DONATES $10,000 TO MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY ON BEHALF OF MOUNT ZION GLASS PLANT

The PPG Industries Foundation has donated $10,000 to Millikin University on behalf of PPG Industries’ (NYSE:PPG) Mount Zion glass manufacturing facility to support the iSmartgirls Discovery Day Camp operated by Millikin’s Center for Entrepreneurship. The technology-based camp is scheduled for two full- day sessions, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4, 2012, with a new iSmartgirls Reflective Day planned for March 10 at Rock Springs Environmental Center as a wrap-up for attendees of the earlier sessions.

"We are very happy to receive this generous support from PPG,” said Sharon T. Alpi, Coleman Foundation professor in the Millikin University Center for Entrepreneurship and director of iSmartgirls Discovery Camp. “This funding helps us to offer two, full-day iSmartgirls Discovery Days in 2012 and to enroll a total of 90 girls to attend. Additionally, we are introducing a sustainability-focused project for girls who attend our 2012 sessions to reinforce the science and technology that underlie recycling and related real- world issues.”

The iSmartgirls program offers an opportunity for 6th- through 8th-grade Decatur-area girls to learn about innovations in science, math, art and real- world technology through an intensive day of hands-on learning experiences, with Millikin University students acting as mentors. The day includes three labs – iDesigner, where girls work with geometric patterning and tessellation for artistic design; iChemist, where students create their own skin care products; and iEngineer, where students explore solutions for bettering their worlds – and a creative “upcycling” project, transforming recyclables into objects of value, all encouraging participants to pursue studies in these disciplines and to develop their applied imagination. Alpi said the goal is to help girls understand concepts and develop skills, believe in themselves and their abilities, and use their talents to positively impact the world in technology-driven careers.

“PPG is strongly committed to supporting the communities where its employees work and live, especially through educational programs focusing on science, technology and math,” said John Gauthier, plant manager for the Mount Zion glass manufacturing facility. “We are proud to continue our decades-long relationship with Millikin University by helping to enrich this unique program for girls. Some of our female employees are hoping to serve as mentors or speakers for future camp sessions, which will offer an exciting opportunity to grow this relationship further.”