Wednesday, August 15, 2012 12:00 am, Michael Harris, Ithaca Times

In 1995, the federal law — Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act — dismantled higher education in prison by eliminating inmate eligibility for Pell Grants.

On June 5, however, the Auburn Prison, in conjunction with Cornell University’s Prison Education Program, celebrated its first graduating class since 1995 with 15 inmates receiving associates degrees from the State University of New York.

Philanthropist Doris Buffet, founder of the Sunshine Lady Foundation, filled the monetary void left by the 1995 legislation, and she became the benefactor for these aspiring scholar inmates at Auburn prison. With her support, in 2008, CPEP was formally established, headed by Executive Director Jim Schechter and PEP’s faculty director, professor Robert Turgeon.

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Auburn (WSYR-TV) – Lots of students face hurdles on their
way to a college diploma, but few face the challenge that prison presents.

On Tuesday, 15 men at the maximum security Auburn
Correctional Facility earned their associates’ degrees, temporarily trading
their prison uniforms for caps and gowns.

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Article from the Free Lance Star

Sunshine Stadium in Fredericksburg is nearly complete and slated to open on March 24. The complex will include a turf-lined baseball stadium, a grass field, an ability field for disabled competitors and an education center with restrooms and concessions.

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