LOS ANGELES, CA; February 2, 2010 — The creator of the original screenplay FLEAPORT invites filmmakers, students (and all creative types who enjoy winning cold-hard cash) to help spread the word about FLEAPORT. All contestants must enter their version of one of two scene choices from the screenplay. Content can be found by visiting http://Fleaport.webs.com.

The FLEAPORT national film contest is accepting submissions until Monday, March 1, 2010. To enter, simply create your video, post it on YouTube.com and friend “ALEXANDER’S AND FLEAPORT” on Facebook with your video attached. The winner will be announced on March 8, 2010 and will be rewarded with $1000 in cash. There is no entry fee, no limit on the number of submissions. Contest limited to U.S. residents only. All entered videos become the property of FLEAPORT to be used in any marketing in connection with the FLEAPORT project. More details can be found by visiting http://Fleaport.webs.com.

About Fleaport
Anyone who grew up on the Nassau County/Queens border in the 80′s remembers Fleaport. Definitely not just your average flea market by the airport, Fleaport was a an experience, a world where people came together over great food, colorful vendors and the spirit of discovery.

Between 1981 and into the 21st century, Fleaport was a place where everyone was welcome and nobody walked away empty-handed. Shopping was fun and wild, and you were just as likely to come home with a date as a new pair of boots. Now filmmakers are invited to share their original vision of this unique market.

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APPLY NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT IN MIAMI, TWIN CITIES, LONG BEACH, DENVER AND PHILADELPHIA

LOS ANGELES – January 19, 2010 – Red Bull Flugtag is flying across the U.S. this summer with five events from coast to coast! This outrageous flying competition will kick off the year in Miami on July 10th, followed by a debut in Minnesota’s Twin Cities on July 24th, a flight into Southern California’s Long Beach Harbor on August 7th, and a mile-high trip to Denver on August 28th. Philadelphia will host the final U.S. Red Bull Flugtag of 2010 along the banks of the Delaware River on September 4th.

Applications can be downloaded at www.redbullflugtagusa.com and are now being accepted either online or via snail-mail. If you’ve got the guts, want the glory, or just know someone you’d like to push off a 30-foot high ramp, don’t miss what could be the flight of your life!

WINGS OF WISDOM

For all first-time flyers, Red Bull Flugtag, which means “flying day” in German, is a competition that dares both the brave and the brainy to design, build and pilot homemade flying machines off a 30-foot high ramp in hopes of achieving human-powered flight. But don’t be fooled – this is no ordinary flying competition. While distance is important, creativity and showmanship are necessary to impress the judges. These criteria have inspired such outrageous crafts as a sky-high Popemobile, an airborne outhouse, a flying fire engine, and even a replica of Santa and his sleigh to test their wings at Red Bull Flugtag.

While the sky may be the limit on creativity, there are still a few flight regulations. First off, all flying machines must be entirely human-powered (no external energy sources or stored power, so forget about the slingshots, catapults or anything besides your own burliness.) Second, no matter what they say, size does matter – all crafts must be less than 30 feet wide and must weigh no more than 450lbs (including the pilot).

SETTING THE BAR

Since the first Red Bull Flugtag took place in Vienna, Austria, in 1991, more than 80 Flugtags have been held around the globe, attracting up to 300,000 spectators for a single event. The record for the farthest flight-to-date currently stands at 195 feet and was set at Red Bull Flugtag Austria in 2000, but the U.S. record is not far behind, standing at 155 feet and set in 2007 at Red Bull Flugtag Nashville. After a year away from the U.S. skies, the pressure is on for this year’s Flugtag flyers to blow these records away!

Red Bull Flugtag is free and open to the public. For more information, including applications, photos, and video footage from past Red Bull Flugtag events, visit www.redbullflugtagusa.com. For media inquires, contact Ellie Applen at (323) 573-5719 or ellieapplen@redbullflugtagusa.com.

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Additional Comments
Video:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=JE_vkcCfewI

Up to five $5,000 winners to be named; Application period runs January 1 – February 26, 2010

GAITHERSBURG, Md., January 5, 2009 – The Sodexo Foundation is accepting applications for its national STOP Hunger Scholarship program on January 1, 2010. The scholarships were first introduced in 2007 in order to support the education of young people who are working to end hunger in communities across the country – and to draw attention to the innovative and effective solutions that they are implementing toward ending hunger in their lifetime.

“The problem of hunger in America is getting worse as the recession and high unemployment continue,” said Stephen J. Brady, president of the Sodexo Foundation. “The STOP Hunger Scholarship program recognizes the efforts of young people who – despite their young ages – recognize the injustice of this national tragedy and are making a real difference in the fight against hunger.”

In November, a United States Department of Agriculture survey documented that 17 million American households (nearly 15 percent) were “food insecure” in 2008, compared with 13 million in 2007.

Up to five students selected as national winners will each receive a $5,000 scholarship award and a matching $5,000 grant in their name, for the hunger-related charity of their choice.  The scholarships will be presented on June 10, 2010 at the Sodexo Foundation Dinner in Washington, D.C.  In addition, up to 20 regional winners will receive a $1,000 grant in their name, for the hunger-related charity of their choice. To be eligible, students must be enrolled in an accredited education institution (kindergarten through graduate school) in the United States and be able to demonstrate an on going commitment to hunger-relief activities in their community.

The deadline for applications is February 26, 2010.  For a complete description of the program or an online application visit www.SodexoFoundation.org.

Sodexo, Inc.
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), a member of Sodexo Group, is a leading provider of Comprehensive Service Solutions serving more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care, retirement, schools, higher education, government and remote sites. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., Sodexo, Inc. operates in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $7.7 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. The Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org) is an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $12.7 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.

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CONTACT: Monica Zimmer
301 987 4461
monica.zimmer@sodexo.com

2010 College Food Trends: Students Crave Global, National and Regional Comfort Food with a Twist

Sodexo’s College Food Trends List Reveals Locally-Grown, Everyday Favorites from Home and Abroad, and Vegetarian Fare on the Rise

GAITHERSBURG, Md., December 14, 2009 — Sodexo, leader in Quality of Life Solutions, and foodservice provider to 600 campuses in the United States, carefully monitors students’ taste buds because good food boosts a student’s college experience. This year’s college food trends list reveals students want locally-sourced food that provides comfort with a twist. Items that top the list are regional and global comfort foods.

Sodexo’s culinary team and customer insight experts released a food trends list for 2010:

College Food Trends in 2010
1.    Apricot-glazed Turkey
2.    Meatloaf with Frizzle-Fried Onions
3.    Vietnamese Pho (Rice Noodle Soup)
4.    Vegetarian Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
5.    Chicken Adobo (Mexican Stew with Chilies)
6.    Stuffed Pork Chops
7.    Vegetarian Jambalaya
8.    Lemon Herbed Baked Tilapia
9.    Rotisserie Chicken
10.    Home Style Pot Roast

Sodexo tracks research on the latest flavor trends, holds frequent taste-test focus groups with students, and consults with its team of topnotch chefs to develop this list.

“Comfort food is trendy for students because familiar favorites can alleviate stress linked to studying and being away from home,” said Tom Post, Sodexo president of campus services. “The biggest change we’re seeing is that students are expanding the category of feel-good foods to include comfort world cuisine, such as a Mexican stew or a Vietnamese noodle soup and they are more open to vegetarian dishes with a flair.”

Another interesting trend shows that students who attend college out of state love to explore regional fare in their new home away from home. Sodexo’s culinary team in each region identified the top favorites of college students.

“Being exposed to the cuisine of the region where you’re studying is part of the college experience for students,” said Chef Rob Morasco, senior director of offer development for Sodexo. “A student from New England who attends Tulane in New Orleans might adopt red beans and rice as comfort food, while a Southerner studying at MIT might make clam chowder a new favorite.”

College Campus Favorites by Region:

•   South Central Region: Red Beans and Rice
•    Midwest: Home Style Roast Beef
•    Northwest: Classic Carved Turkey
•    Mid Atlantic: Chicken Pot Pie
•    Northeast: New England Clam Chowder
•    Southeast: Traditional Meatloaf
•    Southwest: Fish Tacos

The 2010 College Food Trends list was developed by Sodexo’s Customer Insight team with research from Sodexo’s Student Board of Directors, student Food Choice Awards events, Nielsen’s Annual Restaurant Audit, Teenage Research Unlimited, Technomics Menu Monitor, NPD Group, Sodexo’s culinary team of chefs and vendor partners.

Sodexo, Inc.
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), a member of Sodexo Group, is a leading provider of Comprehensive Service Solutions serving more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care, retirement, schools, higher education, government and remote sites. Headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., Sodexo, Inc. operates in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $7.7 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. The Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org) is an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $12.7 million in grants to fight hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.

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Contact:
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
206.709.3400
media@gatesfoundation.org

Media Advisory
December 7, 2009

Alert: Conference Call News Briefing on Dec. 9 at 11 a.m. EST/8 a.m. PST

Only 1 in 5 Community College Students Graduate Within 3 Years
New research from Public Agenda explores why so many quit school

New York—On December 9, Public Agenda will release new national research revealing why so many young adults start college but never graduate. The report, “With Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them,” is based on a national survey of young adults and reveals the top challenges they faced while in college and what they say would have helped them graduate. Nationwide, less than half of all college students graduate within six years, according to the U.S. Department of Education. At community colleges, the numbers are more stark: nearly 80 percent of students do not graduate within three years.

Last February, President Obama set a goal to again make America first in the world in the percentage of adults with a postsecondary credential, citing the goal as a necessary step in restoring the nation’s economic competitiveness. “With Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them” provides insight into the lives of today’s college students, and identifies solutions that could help solve the nation’s college completion problem.

The research was supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as part of its efforts to ensure that all young people in the United States have the opportunity to earn a degree beyond high school and compete in today’s global economy.

What:
Media briefing conference call to discuss new research on why young adults do not complete college

Who:
Jean Johnson, Executive Vice President, Public Agenda
Ian Rowe, Deputy Director, US Program, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Frankie Barria, a former student who will speak about juggling work and school

Call:
Please RSVP for this briefing – Space is limited
Dial In: 888-820-9410
** Contact Susie Rantz at 206-694-0016 or Susie.Rantz@gmmb.com to secure placement on the call**

When:
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
11:00 a.m. EST (8:00 a.m. PST)

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CONTACT: Jaya K. Bohlmann
301 987 4550
jaya.bohlmann@sodexo.com

Sodexo Launches “The Better Tomorrow Plan” for Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility

Sodexo will engage clients, suppliers and customers in North America to measure results related to environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community development

GAITHERSBURG, Md., December 3, 2009 — Sodexo, Inc., a leader in Quality of Life Solutions, announced broad and detailed commitments for sustainability and corporate social responsibility. The Better Tomorrow Plan adds a global approach to Sodexo’s continuing commitment to improving the quality of daily life for customers in three key areas of the environment, health and wellness, and community development.

At the core of The Better Tomorrow Plan are 14 commitments that will be implemented across the company with clear metrics to track the progress of Sodexo’s work to:

•    Protect and restore the environment
•    Support local community development
•    Promote health and wellness

“We believe that as one of North America’s leading companies we have a unique position to use our size and influence to help tackle some of the most important global, national and local concerns facing our planet,” said George Chavel, president and CEO, Sodexo North America. “The Better Tomorrow Plan with its 14 Commitments will make a significant impact towards helping our clients fulfill their own sustainability objectives.  Further, it will engage our customers and employees in helping to make changes that will have a positive impact on our planet for future generations.”

Noting that Sodexo impacts the lives of more than 10 million people daily in North America and a total of 50 million worldwide, Chavel added: “With this enormous reach comes a significant responsibility to ensure that our actions help improve the quality of daily life and guarantee a more sustainable future for the planet.”

Chavel noted that Sodexo’s measurement tools and practices currently under development will be a key differentiator for the company’s Better Tomorrow Plan.

To learn more about Sodexo’s The Better Tomorrow Plan and 14 Commitments on sustainability and corporate social responsibility, please visit http://www.sodexousa.com/usen/citizenship/citizenship.asp.

Sodexo, Inc.
Sodexo, Inc. is a leading on-site service solutions provider in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, with $7.7 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. Sodexo serves more than 10 million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, government, and remote sites. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., is a member of Sodexo Group, and funds all administrative costs for the Sodexo Foundation, an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $11 million in grants to fight hunger in America.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dave Heinzinger / 212-219-7560, ext. 6775, dheinzinger@mmgmardiks.com
Roland Alonzi / 212-219-7560, ext. 6765, ralonzi@mmgmardiks.com

Colorado’s Search for the “Snow-Less” Extended Through December 4

Video submissions from Atlanta to Singapore posted on www.snowatfirstsight.com; Snow At First Sight requirements eased to allow more to enter

DENVER (November 20, 2009) – Following the launch by Colorado to find three people who have never experienced snow, video submissions on www.snowatfirstsight.com have come in from around the world, including Texas, Florida, Hawaii, Thailand and Singapore. Contestants are vying to win a three-month Colorado winter vacation and a chance to learn to ski and snowboard, go snowshoeing, dog sledding, as well as enjoy the aprés ski lifestyle, spas and hot springs that Colorado is famous for.

In return, winners will be asked to blog and use social networking channels such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Flickr to share their first snow experiences. The deadline for submitting a video (up to 60 seconds) on www.snowatfirstsight.com has been extended to December 4 and the voting deadline to December 11.

To make the contest more accessible, the Colorado Tourism Office has also announced that it will allow anyone who has never experienced snow before to enter as long as they can commit to being in Colorado for as short as two weeks and up to three months – all expenses paid. The videos currently posted on www.snowatfirstsight.com include a varied group of individuals eager to show why they deserve to experience snow for the first time this winter in Colorado. Recent entrants include:

• Deena from Hawaii ponders the irony: people usually come to her home state for the vacation experience of a lifetime. But as a lifetime resident of Hawaii, Deena’s dream vacation is experiencing Colorado’s legendary powder for the first time.

• Britney, hailing from Thailand, has never been to the U.S. and has never seen snow – but she’s ready. She wants to go dog sledding and create her own dessert using Colorado snow.

• Trevor, a 21-year old Atlantan who can certainly carve up a street on his skateboard – as his video demonstrates – can’t wait to see what it’s like to snowboard on Colorado powder.

• Mary, who has rarely traveled beyond the Southwest Florida area, is not an adventure junkie but said that the second she saw the contest, she knew that it would “help her expand her horizons.”

Visitors to www.snowatfirstsight.com can vote for their favorite video through December 11 and share it with their friends within their favorite social networking sites. Think you know someone who deserves the winter experience of a lifetime? They can upload a video submission to www.snowatfirstsight.com through December 4.

A total of 10 semi-finalists will score a free trip to Colorado during the two-day “audition” in early January. Out of the 10 semi-finalists, three will be selected by a panel of experts and will spend from two weeks to three months in Colorado from January to March.

Visit www.snowatfirstsight.com to vote for a video, enter the contest, or to learn more about the contest.
# # #

Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology Regional Finalists Head to The University of Texas at Austin November 13 & 14

AUSTIN, Texas , Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ –

WHAT: Could tomorrow’s Albert Einstein or Alexander Graham Bell currently be a student in high school? What did the next generation of innovators come up with this year? Find out when the regional finalists of the 2009 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology –  America’s premier science research competition — head to the University of Texas at Austin November 13 & 14. At stake is a $3,000 prize for one individual, $6,000 for one team, and an invitation to the National Finals in New York City for a shot at the $100,000 Grand Prize!

WHO: Seventeen whiz kids unveil graduate level research projects to a distinguished panel of university judges. Past Siemens Competition winners and Alumni have tackled some of the world’s hardest and most pressing problems through math and science. Their feats include: invention of anti-bacterial coatings for medical devices, research of cures for drug-resistant Tuberculosis, exploring zebrafish spines for an inside look at bone growth, reinventing string theory, and developing a device to generate energy from ocean waves. What research will the Nation’s brightest teen minds unveil this year?

The 2009 Siemens Competition regional finalists are:

Individual Finalists:

• Sai S. Achi, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, TX
• Somak R. Das, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, TX
• Prianka Ghoshal, Westlake High School, Austin, TX
• Peter D. Hu, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, TX
• Sahil Khetpal, Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, Denton, TX

Team Finalists:

• Favyen Bastani and Jonathan Z. Lin, Jasper High School, Plano, TX
• Sumit Gogia and Patrick J. Kim, The Science Academy of South Texas, Mercedes, TX and Vincent E. Yu, Sha Tin College, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
• Sean P. Karson, Trinity Preparatory High School, Winter Park, FL; Dan Liu, Liberal Arts and Science Academy High School, Austin TX; and Kevin Y. Chen, William P. Clements High School, Sugar Land, TX
• Sunil K. Pai, The Kinkaid School, Houston TX; and Aneesh Sampath, Ward Melville High School, East Setauket, NY
• Tianjiao J. Zhang and Liang Gu, Bellaire High School, Bellaire, TX

WHERE:  On the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, San Jacinto Hall, 309 E. 21st Street, Austin TX

(Accredited media may park to unload equipment at loading zones on 21st Street. Parking is available in the Brazos Parking Garage at the corner of Brazos and Martin Luther King, Jr. Streets. Pull a parking card on entry and bring it with you to the event for validation.)

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 13 – Room 207C

10:00 am – 11:30 am: Students set up projects

5:00 pm – 6:30 pm: Public viewing of projects

Saturday, Nov. 14 – Room 207B

8:00 am – 1:00 pm: Students present to judges

MORE:  Want to be the first to find out who will head to the National Finals in New York?

Log into and follow Siemens Foundation on Twitter (http://twitter.com/SFoundation) on Saturday, November 14, 2009 between 6:30 pm and 9:00 pm CST, when we announce the winners live!

The Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology is a signature program of the Siemens Foundation, which provides more than $7 million in support of educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math in the United States. The Siemens Competition is administered by the College Board. More information can be found at www.siemens-foundation.org.

Winners of the regional events are invited to compete at the National Finals at New York University in New York City, December 3 – December 7, 2009. Visit www.siemens-foundation.org on December 7, 2009 at 9:30 am EST to view a live webcast of the National Finalist Award Presentation.

Interviews and Photo Ops available with students, judges and Siemens Foundation executives

MEDIA CONTACTS

Valerie Francois, Siemens Foundation, 732-590-5292, cell 609-721-3713, valerie.francois@siemens.com

Judy Huang, Weber Shandwick, 212-445-8346, cell 617-359-1938, jyhuang@webershandwick.com

Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology Regional Finalists Head to University of Notre Dame November 13 & 14

SOUTH BEND, Ind., Nov. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ –

WHAT: Could tomorrow’s Albert Einstein or Alexander Graham Bell currently be a student in high school? What did the next generation of innovators come up with this year? Find out when the regional finalists of the 2009 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology – America’s premier science research competition – head to University of Notre Dame November 13 & 14. At stake is a $3,000 prize for one individual, $6,000 for one team, and an invitation to the National Finals in New York City for a shot at the $100,000 Grand Prize!

WHO: Sixteen whiz kids unveil graduate level research projects to a distinguished panel of university judges. Past Siemens Competition winners and Alumni have tackled some of the world’s hardest and most pressing problems through math and science. Their feats include: invention of anti-bacterial coatings for medical devices, research of cures for drug-resistant Tuberculosis, exploring zebrafish spines for an inside look at bone growth, reinventing string theory, and developing a device to generate energy from ocean waves. What research will the Nation’s brightest teen minds unveil this year?

The 2009 Siemens Competition regional finalists are:

Individual Finalists:

o Angela Ma, Carmel High School, Carmel, IN
o Arjun Puranik, William Fremd High School, Palatine, IL
o Marissa Suchyta, University of Chicago Laboratory High School, Chicago, IL
o Dennis Tseng, William Mason High School, Mason, OH
o Kevin Wang, Wylie E. Groves High School, Beverly Hills, MI

Team Finalists:

o Qingyuan Chen, University of Chicago Laboratory High School, Chicago, IL; and Fred Schmitt, Naperville Central High School, Naperville, IL
o Randy Jia and David Lu, Detroit Country Day School, Beverly Hills, MI
o Renjay Lui and Bingjie Qiu, Troy High School, Troy, MI; and Lucille Zhang, Detroit Country Day School, Beverly Hills, MI
o Qinqin Yu and Sarah Kang, Rock Bridge High School, Columbia, MO
o David Zheng and Michael Luo, Carmel High School, Carmel, IN

WHERE: On the campus of the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 13 – Study Lounge & Reading Room, Jordan Hall of Science
11:00 am– 12:30 pm: Students set up projects
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm: Public viewing of projects

Saturday, Nov. 14 – Sargento Auditorium, Jordan Hall of Science
8:00 am – 1:00 pm: Students present to judges

MORE: Want to be the first to find out who will head to the National Finals in New York?

Log into and follow Siemens Foundation on Twitter (http://twitter.com/SFoundation) on Saturday, November 14, 2009 between 6:30 pm and 9:30 pm EST, when we announce the winners live!

The Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology is a signature program of the Siemens Foundation, which provides more than $7 million in support of educational initiatives in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math in the United States. The Siemens Competition is administered by the College Board. More information can be found at www.siemens-foundation.org.

Winners of the regional events are invited to compete at the National Finals at New York University in New York City, December 3 – December 7, 2009. Visit www.siemens-foundation.org on December 7, 2009 at 9:30 am EST to view a live webcast of the National Finalist Award Presentation.

Interviews and Photo Ops available with students, judges and Siemens Foundation executives

CONTACT: Valerie Francois, Siemens Foundation, +1-732-590-5292, or cell, +1-609-721-3713, valerie.francois@siemens.com; or Jennifer Moore, Weber Shandwick, +1-212-445-8430, or cell, +1-973-580-1424, jennifer.moore@webershandwick.com

- 2009 Scholarship Awarded to 40 Deserving Recipients -

ATLANTA, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ — UCB, Inc. today announced the 2009 recipients of the UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Programä. This year’s scholarship was awarded to 40 inspiring people whose lives have been affected by epilepsy and who seek personal growth through higher learning.  Epilepsy is a common neurological condition that can affect anyone at anytime.  In the United States, 1 in 100 people are living with epilepsy.

“Epilepsy can have a significant impact on people living with the condition, as well as their family members and caregivers.  UCB recognizes the obstacles that these deserving people have overcome and we are inspired by their accomplishments,” said Shelia Frame, Vice President of the Central Nervous System business unit at UCB.  “It is our honor to provide this type of support to ensure that they have the means to achieve their academic goals.”

This year, the number of applications submitted for the UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship increased by 30 percent. In direct response to the increased interest, UCB awarded 30 percent more scholarships — 28 to people living with epilepsy and 12 to family members or caregivers of someone living with epilepsy.  Recipients will use scholarships for tuition at colleges, graduate schools and technical schools across the country. Since 2005, UCB has awarded more than 150 scholarships, totaling almost $1 million.

“As a clinician, I spend the majority of my time helping patients find treatments to control seizures,” said selection committee member Robert Leroy MD, an epileptologist in Dallas, TX.  “It is inspiring to see patients achieve success, not only in treatment, but also in life.”

This year’s recipients will be honored on the UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Facebook page.  To see photos and read quotes from recipients, and for more information about the UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship, please go to Facebook.com/UCBEpilepsyScholarship.

2009 Scholarship Recipients:

The 40 recipients were selected from a pool of 800 applicants. Each recipient was considered based on his or her application, personal essay and letters of recommendation.

2009 recipients and their selected learning institution:

Gilbert Baca              Santa Fe Community College

Suzanne Bixler            Delaware Community College

Scott Brookshire          City College of San Francisco

Nicholas Bunker           Schoolcraft College

Jessica Chock-Goldman     Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva

University

Courtney Collins          Kennesaw State University

Katherine Cooney          Northwestern University

Brandi Crespin            University of New Mexico

Mitchell DeSimone         Marist College

James Enright             Franklin Pierce University

Matt Farmen               University of Arizona

Brenda Flaherty           Penn State University

Kaitlin Foster            Blinn College

Christina France          International Academy of Art and Design

Lauren Gallegos           Cal State University Northridge

Bailey Henry              University of Northern Iowa

Keyana Johnson            Howard University

Nathanael Kube            University of Wisconsin-Baraboo

Brittany Langkamp         University of Dubuque

Katherine Looney          Auburn University

Megan McGahan             Niagara University

Connor Merrill            Central Washington University

Stephen Mikolaitis        Penn State, Erie

Ellen Millard             Southeast Missouri State University

Virginia Miller           University of Phoenix at Axia

John Julian Miller-Ready  University of Hawaii Leeward Community College

Alyssa Muller             SUNY Plattsburgh

Jackson Newsome           Marshall University

Rachael Palumbo           University of Notre Dame

Katherine Panich          University of Southern California

Tiffany Parish            Texas Woman’s University

Patrick Piaggio, Jr.      Montclair State University

Sharie Pulliam            Carroll Community College

Claudia Ramirez           Joliet Junior College

Sandra Rushing            College of DuPage – Registered Nurse Program

Susan Sheets              Nazareth College

Kelly Towne               Front Range Community College

Kayla Trundle             University of Michigan – Flint

Brooke Warner             Otterbein College

Angela Wright             University of Texas at Arlington

About Epilepsy

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide and three million people in the U.S.—making it more common than multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease combined. It is caused by abnormal, excessive electrical discharges of the nerve cells, or neurons, in the brain. Epilepsy is characterized by a tendency to have recurrent seizures and defined by two or more unprovoked seizures. There are many different seizure types and epileptic syndromes. Roughly 20-30 percent of people living with epilepsy have either uncontrolled seizures or significant side effects secondary to medication. This highlights the ongoing need for the development of new AEDs. For more information about epilepsy, visit www.EpilepsyAdvocate.com.

About UCB

UCB, Brussels, Belgium (www.ucb.com) is a biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative medicines with a focus on the fields of central nervous system and immunology disorders. Employing approx. 10,000 people in over 40 countries, UCB achieved revenues of 3.6 billion Euro in 2008. UCB is listed on Euronext Brussels (symbol: UCB).

The UCB Family Epilepsy Scholarship Program^™ is a trademark of the UCB group of companies.

Further Information

Andrea Levin

Public Relations Manager, CNS, UCB

T 770.970.8352

M 404.483.7329

Andrea.levin@ucb.com

Laura Finley

Cooney/Waters Group

T 212.886.2258

LFinley@cooneywaters.com

CONTACT: Andrea Levin, Public Relations Manager, CNS, UCB, +1-770-970-8352, or mobile, +1-404-483-7329, Andrea.levin@ucb.com; or Laura Finley, Cooney/Waters Group, +1-212-886-2258, LFinley@cooneywaters.com