Journal-News.com

HAMILTON — Miami University Hamilton is making history in receiving federal funding to support its history programs.

The commuter campus has been awarded its fourth consecutive grant of $1 million from the U.S. Department of Education to fund the Teaching American History program.

Out of 500 proposals that were submitted — 121 of which will receive funding — Miami Hamilton's proposal was ranked second in the nation, said Michael Carrafiello, assistant dean and program administrator.

The grant will pay for three years of seminars and five-day summer institutes for about 50 social studies and history teachers from elementary and secondary schools in the area. The teachers, who are selected within their schools, receive instruction and free textbooks, and gain exposure to world-class historians. They also earn graduate credit from Miami University, Carrafiello said.

"For hundreds of teachers who have participated, it has been a life-changing, eye-opening experience," Carrfiello said. "It's having a powerful effect in classrooms."

The program kicks off in August, with a week-long trip to Williamsburg, Va. — the one-time capital of the state where George Washington and Patrick Henry lived and worked in the 18th century.

Miami Hamilton has received $4.4 million over the past five years. This includes four TAH grants and a civics academy grant, which is funding a summer camp program that benefits low-income students from dozens of school districts in the area. University officials said the five grants represent the most that any Ohio college or university has received from the DOE since 2003.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2122 or rwilson@coxohio.com.

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