Bell Atlantic Foundation Gives $10,000 to Cinch Valley College

Bell Atlantic Foundation Gives $10,000 to Clinch Valley College

Grant to Fund Lecture Series

June 16, 1998

NORTON, Va. -- The Bell Atlantic Foundation will give $10,000 to
Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia, located in Wise, to
fund the school's ongoing lecture series.

"Bell Atlantic makes an important public service contribution to this region
through its sponsorship of the speakers program at Clinch Valley College,"
said Clinch Valley College Chancellor L. Jay Lemons.

"The company's support has allowed the college to provide curricula
enhancement and outstanding speakers to the college community and the
surrounding community. These activities enrich the classroom experience,
stimulate deeper thought about important issues, and generate discussion,
all of which are vital to the liberal arts environment," he said.

In the past the school has attracted such distinguished lecturers as historian
Randy Patton, poet James Good, author Jo Carson, political scientists
Arnold Shuetz and Nikita Pokrovsky, and art critic Elliot Twery. The
series has also included the Woodrow Wilson Visiting Scholars Program,
the Southeast Regional Microscopy Society conference, and the Medieval -
Renaissance Conference.

The college launched this year, as part of the series, Human Values
Seminars to explore how society feels about "values issues." The first
seminar focused on the Civil War.

"We're proud the Bell Atlantic Foundation can assist CVC in its lecture
series. We want to encourage participation in these valuable programs
whenever possible," said Bell Atlantic Area Manager Richard Settle.

The Bell Atlantic Foundation supports a variety of projects domestically
and internationally, with an emphasis on new technology applications in
education, health and human services, the arts and humanities, and civic
development in the communities served by Bell Atlantic. For more
information, visit www.bellatlanticfoundation.com on the Internet.

Bell Atlantic is at the forefront of the new communications and information
industry. With more than 41 million telephone access lines and 6.7 million
wireless customers worldwide, Bell Atlantic companies are premier
providers of advanced wireline voice and data services, market leaders in
wireless services and the world's largest publishers of directory
information. Bell Atlantic companies are also among the world's largest
investors in high-growth global communications markets, with operations
and investments in 22 countries.