GEMS Supporters Recognized

WHEELING, W.Va (May 6, 2008)- - More than 40 teachers, school administrators and donors that support Oglebay Institute’s Giving to Education Means Success (GEMS) program were recognized May 2 at a breakfast at Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center in Wheeling.

More than 100 Ohio Valley schools and organizations benefit from GEMS, which brings financial underwriting to schools that want to participate in arts and environmental education programs but lack sufficient funding.

“Many schools lack funding for arts and humanities education,” Oglebay Institute president Kathleen McDermott said. “Oglebay Institute educators help fulfill the need for schools that are unable to have fulltime staff in these extremely important areas. In the face of increased budget cuts, GEMS is a way that schools can bring these much needed programs to their students.”

School programs are an important part of the Oglebay Institute mission, accounting for 20 percent of the Institute’s programming. From September 2007 through April of this year, 84 schools participated in a total of 216 programs. Fifty-eight additional schools will participate in May.  Individuals, corporations and foundations have funded 37 percent of these programs through GEMS.

McDermott said that GEMS is successful because of community support, and she is thankful to all those who support this worthwhile program.

“GEMS relies on individuals and businesses that believe in the importance of the arts, bringing these programs to area young people and investing in our future community leaders,” she said.

Oglebay Institute provides educational programming in all five of its disciplines: environmental education, dance, museums, performing and visual arts. Schools can use GEMS funds to participate in programs on-site or in a field trip setting.

Organizations seeking to participate in the GEMS program or becoming a GEMS sponsor should contact Oglebay Institute at 304.242.4200. Individuals can also make donations to a school of their choosing.