AT&T presented $10,000 to the Journalism Institute for Minorities at Wayne State University for student scholarships, continuing its yearly financial support since the institute's inception in the mid-1980s.

Michele Vernon-Chesley, director of the JIM, says, "AT&T has been a consistent supporter of the Journalism Institute for Minorities since the program began- Its support is rooted in the fact that our goals are similar: We both help people communicate."

AT&T believes in the importance of supporting the institute because of its mission to increase diversity in the news media. "Increasing minority representation in these organizations can have a profound impact on the public's perception and understanding of racial and ethnic groups," says Ana Gabriel, Michigan director of public relations for AT&T.

"With AT&T's investment, " she adds, "the institute can continue on its mission to making this country better by improving the lines of communication between the races."

The institute recruits promising minority journalism students, and then mixes education with professional experience to mold talented communicators.

About 80 students have graduated from the institute. More than two-thirds of them now work at newspapers, television and radio stations, public relations or advertising companies in Detroit and across the country.

For more information call the institute, (313) 577-2627