News Release

AT&T Grant Helps Provide Wireless Access to UW Apartments

April 29, 2008 -- Students living in the University of Wyoming (UW) apartments now have direct wireless access to the university's high-speed computer network.

UW's student apartments will benefit from a $25,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation -- the corporate philanthropy organization of AT&T Inc. -- to integrate wireless communications technologies into educational outreach projects that engage youth and adults in lifelong learning activities. The grant is part of AT&T's $1.5 million nationwide technology assistance program, which targets underserved populations.

"This project will benefit the UW student population by installing a complete wireless network throughout the university's student apartment complex," said Robert Aylward, UW's vice president for information technology. "This project will provide students with high-speed access to the university's main network." Aylward also said nearly 1,000 students in the university's 500 apartments, mostly served by only dial-up access, will benefit from the new service.

"Providing this final phase in the build-out for the university's intranet system is a great way for us to meet our goal of bringing technological solutions to educational institutions across the West," said Stephanie Tyler-Jackson, executive director, AT&T Government Affairs. "The university has done an incredible job of bringing the latest technology to its students and staff, and this wireless component enhances the delivery of a top-notch education and engages students in lifelong learning."

"AT&T's grant will help establish free high-speed wireless connectivity to all apartments by installing wireless access points throughout the student apartment complexes," Aylward said.

The grant continues UW's efforts to provide wireless network access throughout campus. Aylward credits the success of these efforts to the expertise of UW's Information Technology staff members, UW's focus on increasing student customer service and the emphasis on developing technology that provides a competitive advantage in attracting and retaining students and faculty.

AT&T is committed to investing in programs that enhance and enable success in education for students of all ages. The AT&T Foundation supports initiatives that help students throughout the higher-education continuum: the completion of high school, preparation for and entrance to college and degree completion and graduation. Additionally, the foundation supports organizations and programs that integrate technology into daily classroom instruction and administration activities, develop community and civic leadership and encourage workforce development.

AT&T and the AT&T Foundation provided more than $45 million to support educational initiatives across the nation in 2007. Since 1996, the AT&T Foundation has distributed more than $428 million in grants to support new classroom technology, after-school programs, teacher training and many other educational endeavors.

Photo:
Testing the wireless signal during a tour of the area Monday were, from left, State Sen. Cale Case, Lander; Stephanie Tyler-Jackson, AT&T executive director external affairs; Dan Sullivan, Dan Sullivan Government Affairs and Consulting/AT&T; Dave Picard, The Wyoming Group, Inc./AT&T; and Robert Aylward, UW vice president for information technology.

Posted on Tuesday, April 29, 2008