Special Announcement

Special Announcement

Dr. Raymond Kurzweil

Special Announcement

The National Federation of the Blind is delighted

to announce an enhancement of its already-extensive scholarship program. Although the

occasion is joyful, we must acknowledge sadness as well because the enhancement honors our

long-time leader, Dr. Kenneth Jernigan, who recently died. Those who knew Dr. Jernigan

know he would have been the first to rejoice in this gift from generous donor Dr. Ray

Kurzweil, who says:

"Dr. Jernigan was many things to many

people, but perhaps most of all he was a teacher. One thing we can do to follow his

inspiring lead is to help provide for the education of our talented young people. I know

that Dr. Jernigan was personally very proud of the NFB's scholarship program. I am very

happy that we are able to participate in the NFB's own scholarship program by providing

these additional scholarships."

The Kurzweil Foundation, headed by Dr. Kurzweil,

will add a cash scholarship of $1,000 to each of the twenty-six NFB scholarships in both

1999 and 2000. Kurzweil Education Group of Lernout & Hauspie (formerly Kurzweil

Educational Systems, Inc.) will also give a Kurzweil 1000 Reading System with scanner

(valued at $1,500) to each of the twenty-six winners in both 1999 and 2000.

The National Federation of the Blind thanks the

Kurzweil Foundation, Kurzweil Educational Group, and Dr. Ray Kurzweil personally for their

generosity and for their quick action in fashioning this living monument to Dr. Jernigan's

well-known commitment to excellence and education. NFB scholarship winners are always

unusual and special—among the best we have. Winners for 1999 and 2000 will have the

added distinction of being recipients of scholarships in Dr. Jernigan's memory.