The Verizon Foundation recently pledged $50,000 to support two programs in Penn State's School of Information Sciences and Technology.

IST officials plan to use the money for Faculty Academy 2001, an initiative designed to show elementary and high school teachers and college professors how to use technology in their classrooms. The event will be held June 18 to 20 on the University Park campus.

The funds will also support the first Pennsylvania Leadership Summit in June and September. The program, attended by executives in business, government and education disciplines, will discuss effective models of leadership in the digital age and also examine legal, societal and ethical issues associated with conducting business over the Internet, among other things.

"We are very grateful for Verizon Foundation's leadership and generosity," said James B. Thomas, dean of the IST school, in a news release. "Our aim is to help Pennsylvania become an initiator in the emerging new economy. This grant is an important contribution to that effort."