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COMMON Education Foundation (CEF)

Mission

• Foster development and growth of IT professionals who will manage and support the computing systems of the future.
• Underwrite educational projects and programs that increase cutting-edge technology skills and provide a clearer understanding of future IT challenges.
• Provide training to those preparing to enter the information technology field and to educators who provide the learning experience.

Goals and Objectives

• Encourage the utilization of funds for education, research and scholarship.
• Provide educational services and programs supporting the midrange user community.
• Foster the development/improvement of curricula in IT and IT management.
• Foster the standards of competence and promote excellence in IT midrange education.
• Expand the visions and goals of COMMON.

Scholarships Available

The COMMON Education Foundation currently offers four scholarship opportunities. They include:

• Education Foundation Scholarship to the COMMON Annual Conference and Exposition for Educators
• COMMON Volunteer Memorial Scholarship
• Tuition Reimbursement Scholarship
• IBM Academic Initiative for System i Summer School
  
  
• Al Barsa Memorial Scholarship - Contribution Form

If you would like more information about COMMON Education Foundation support opportunities, please contact foundation@common.org or 1.800.777.6734.

Education Foundation Scholarship to a National Conference

National conferences are held semi-annually, in the spring and fall. The CEF awards scholarships to educators who are involved in the training and education of future IT professionals. Below please find an application form. Please complete the form and fax back to 312.279.0227 ATTN: Education Foundation.

The application deadline for the 2008 Annual Conference and Exposition is Monday, February 25, 2007.

• Education Foundation Scholarship Application
  (Right-click on the link and select "Save Target as" to download the Word Document.)
• Education Foundation Scholarship Winners

COMMON Volunteer Memorial Scholarship

The Volunteer Memorial Scholarship was established in 1998 in memory of and in appreciation of our volunteers, the lifeblood of our organization. This scholarship recognizes and encourages volunteerism. One scholarship is awarded to the annual conference. This scholarship includes a complimentary conference registration, a one-year individual membership to COMMON, airfare and hotel accommodations (subject to the COMMON guidelines for travel, conference and membership policies and procedures). Please note that it is required that you volunteer a portion of your time during the conference. One Volunteer Memorial Scholarship will be available for the Spring 2007 COMMON Conference.

• Volunteer Memorial Scholarship Winners

Tuition Reimbursement Scholarship

The COMMON Education Foundation provides four tuition reimbursement scholarships each fall to students at an accredited institution of higher education (two- or four-year college or graduate program). Currently the value of the scholarship is US$1,000. Applicants must be referred and sponsored by a COMMON member. Please complete the form and fax back to 312.279.0227, ATTN Education Foundation. The application deadline for tuition reimbursement scholarships is August 1.

• Tuition Reimbursement Application
  (Right-click on the link and select "Save Target as" to download.)

2007 Tuition Scholarship Winners
Dustin Greelis
Christin Hall
Joseph Lessard
David Nakashian
Amanda Walsh

Partners in Education

The COMMON Education Foundation awards one grant for an individual to attend the IBM Scholars Program (also know as Partners in Education) Summer School in Rochester, Minnesota. Applications are available through the Scholars Program office. Contact RCHPIE@us.ibm.com for an application or for more information. Please check IBM's Scholars Program site for application deadline.

• View Previous Winners

Current Activities

The objective of the COMMON Education Foundation, in conjunction with IBM Partners in Education, is to expand and enhance midrange education in colleges and universities. The Foundation also works with COMMON members, local user groups, sister user groups, iSeries and AS/400 customers and Business Partners to get more educational institutions involved with the iSeries. If you, your company or your local user group are interested in helping to make iSeries and/or midrange education available in your community, please contact foundation@common.org, Executive Director Michelle August or Assistant Director Laura Ubelhor.

Contributors

Ways to help support the COMMON Education Foundation:

• Monetary Contributions
• United Way Contribution directed to the Foundation
• Donation requested in memory of a loved one
• Specify contribution to the Foundation as part of your will
• Donate items for the Silent Auctions held at conferences
• Volunteer to help staff the Foundation booth at conferences

For additional information, please contact COMMON Foundation or use the form below and mail your check, payable to COMMON Education Foundation, to COMMON, ATTN: Education Foundation, 5515 Cumberland Rd, Suite 810, Chicago, IL 60656.

Contribution Form

Al Barsa Memorial Scholarship Contribution Form
(Right-click on the links above and select "Save Target as" to download.)