For Immediate Release
Contact:
Ed Levin
Publicity Director
Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta
levins51@verizon.net
Newly formed Solidarity Committee announces Internship Program for Minority College Aged Students
Philadelphia, PA – The Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee (DVROC), organizers of the prestigious Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta, presented by Independence Blue Cross, Coca-Cola and PECO are pleased to announce our inaugural internship program for minority college aged students.
The Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta will be held on the historic Schuylkill River on Friday, May 13 and Saturday, May 14.
The ultimate goal of the Solidarity Committee is to create opportunities for underrepresented Athletes in the sport of rowing. A recent survey conducted by US Rowing showed that just 13.75% of rowers across all levels are people of color. Without deliberate and thoughtful action from the rowing community, these numbers will not improve, and the many benefits and opportunities provided by the sport of rowing will remain inaccessible to those who could benefit the most.
In recognition of this data, the Dad Vail Regatta Organizing Committee formed the Solidarity community to work on making the sport of rowing and the Dad Vail Regatta more inclusive and representative of the communities along the banks of the Schuylkill that we call home.
As part of this effort, the Solidarity Committee is sponsoring a paid-internship program designed to provide students of color from Philadelphia with an opportunity to experience event planning, sport management and other athletic department related tasks. We recognize that pursuing a passion for athletics comes in many forms and want to ensure that every aspect of the sport of rowing is reflective of our communities.
Bill Jurgens, interim chair of the Solidarity Committee, had this to say about the Internship Program, “We are excited about getting this internship program underway. An internship program is considered one of the top ways for a student to learn work skills and experience on-site learning that will benefit them in their career development. Providing this program to minorities is especially gratifying given our purpose to promote social justice and expand opportunities for inclusion in the workplace.”
For more information regarding the Internship program please email Bill Jurgens, Interim Chair of the Solidarity Committee at bjurgens@fit.edu.
About Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University is a leader in transdisciplinary, professional education. Jefferson, home of the Sidney Kimmel Medical College and the Kanbar College of Design, Engineering and Commerce, is a preeminent university delivering high-impact education in 160 undergraduate and graduate programs to 8,400 students in architecture, business, design, engineering, fashion and textiles, health, medicine, science and social science. Jefferson is re-defining the higher education value proposition with an approach that is collaborative and active; increasingly global; integrated with industry; focused on research across disciplines to foster innovation and discovery; and technology-enhanced. Student-athletes compete as the Jefferson Rams in the NCAA Division II Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference.
