Union Pacific Foundation Expands The Principals' Partnership to Include 21 States

The Principals' Partnership and Nonprofit Organizations Receive $8 Million from Union Pacific Foundation 


OMAHA, Neb., April 10  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Principals' Partnership, the signature giving program of Union Pacific Foundation, is expanding. Union Pacific Foundation is increasing membership in the partnership to include high school principals in 21 of the states in which Union Pacific operates. Additionally, the Foundation is providing grants to nonprofit organizations in 22 of the states in which the railroad operates. Together, Union Pacific Foundation is granting $8 million to fund The Principals' Partnership and projects submitted by nonprofit organizations.

"High school principals play a vital role in the education of our nation's young people, and through The Principals' Partnership, we're helping provide the resources they need to succeed," said Jim Young, president and CEO of Union Pacific. "This year we're expanding the program again -- to provide even more principals with the personalized tools they need to overcome challenges in their schools. Stronger schools mean stronger communities, and our ultimate goal is to help strengthen the educational opportunities available to students in the communities where Union Pacific employees work and live."

Nearly 1,000 principals with responsibilities for more than 1 million students now participate in The Principals' Partnership. The five-year-old program helps fulfill principals' leadership needs through a number of opportunities, including research, networking and workshops. Instead of a one- size-fits-all approach, the Partnership starts with the professional needs of each principal and offers an individually customized program to meet those needs. The program is offered at no cost to the school, the district or the principal.

The Principals' Partnership is offered to public high school principals in key communities served by Union Pacific. The program now extends to principals in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

The Idaho Association of Secondary School Principals (IASSP) recently presented its Distinguished Service Award to The Principals' Partnership. The program also has received The Award of Gratitude and Recognition from the Milwaukee Public Schools and has been recognized by state education associations in Wyoming and Utah, as well as the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

The 2006 grants to The Principals' Partnership and nonprofit organizations reflect Union Pacific's more than 45-year tradition of supporting community and civic programs.

Union Pacific Foundation

Union Pacific Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of Union Pacific Corporation. The foundation's signature giving program, The Principals' Partnership, helps public high school principals meet their leadership needs. Much of the foundation's future philanthropic support will be directed toward this program.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America's leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country and serves the fastest-growing U.S. population centers. Union Pacific's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad offers competitive long-haul routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North America's premier rail franchise. For more information, contact Gene Hinkle at [phone]. 

DATASOURCE: Union Pacific Corporation



CONTACT:  Gene Hinkle of Union Pacific, [phone]



Web site:  http://www.up.com/



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