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Ford Helps Detroit High School Open New Computer Lab

25 August 2000

    DETROIT - Ford Motor Company has taken another major step to bridge the gap 
between school and the workplace by constructing and managing a computer lab 
and learning center at Cody High School on the city's west side.

    The lab officially opened today with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by
city, state and Ford officials, along with Ford interns who are Cody students.

    "This is more than a computer lab," said Carlos Mazzorin, group vice
president, Global Purchasing and South America for Ford Motor Company.  "It is
more like a learning center, a tool to advance Cody students' knowledge base
and a way for companies like ours to help groom a quality and qualified work
force."

    The computer lab, formerly the high school's wood shop, has 36 computer
stations and one teacher's work station.  The lab initially will serve Cody's
2,000 students.  At a later date, the lab's hours could be expanded to evenings 
and summer to accommodate students, their families and the surrounding community.  
Internet access is readily available along with video-conferencing capability.  
Video-conferencing allows teachers to improve the quality of classroom 
instruction and permits distance learning.

    The old wood shop's warped wood floor has been replaced with a new,
carpeted floor.  The lab has a drop ceiling, new wiring, air conditioning and
furnishings.  Items donated to the lab include:  vertical blinds from J.M.
Olson, computers from Dell and printers from Hewlett-Packard.  Several Ford
teams also donated their time and expertise for the lab.  A team from the
Rouge Complex assembled desks, a Purchasing team set up the computers and a
technology team from Ford Systems Integration Center installed the software on
all the computers.

    "The present use of technology as a classroom tool focuses on student-
centered activities," said Mackie Bradford, Cody High School Principal.  "With
Cody's new computer lab and learning center, our students will be able to
participate in a variety of learning programs and make advancements toward
post-secondary learning institutions.

    "Thanks to Ford Motor Company's generosity, Cody students will be better
prepared to successfully compete in a global society," he said.

    The computer lab project is managed by Ford's Minority Supplier
Development office and funded primarily through the Ford North American
Consumer Business Group.  Construction began in May.

    Ford has been a partner with Cody High School since 1995, when it started
the Ford Academy of Manufacturing Sciences (FAMS) program.  Over the years,
the program has been expanded and now includes job shadowing and mentoring,
summer internships, field trips to local manufacturing sites, scholarships, a
speakers bureau whereby Ford provides weekly speakers on work and business
topics, and other training and learning exercises.