UNIVERSITY NEWS - JANUARY 2004

MEDIA CONTACT: Randy Goin, Jr.
954-762-5275, rgoin@fau.edu

FAU Hires New CURE Director

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL (January 23, 2004) - Ralph B. Johnson has been named the new director of Florida Atlantic University's Center for Urban Redevelopment and Education (CURE), a center that collaborates with non-profit, governmental and civic organizations to improve the quality of life in low and moderate-income communities in the region.

"My job is to work with our dedicated staff members to empower communities one resident at a time," said Johnson. "FAU-CURE does this through on-site programs and services that bring the intellectual resources of the university closer to the people who need it most."

CURE, which offers programs such as microbusiness training, computer training, nonprofit management, grant writing and home buying, along with community visioning and consensus building exercises, will have its programs enhanced with Johnson's professional background in architecture to incorporate the preservation of cultural and architectural heritage within their mission.

Since 1996, Johnson has been a professor of architecture and the director of the Center for Architectural and Cultural Heritage at FAU. An educator, advocate and consultant in the field of historic preservation, he brings to the CURE a lifetime of experience in community building.

For more information, call 954-762-5270.

- FAU -