ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell University has announced the creation of a scholarship for deaf, hearing impaired and/or people fluent in American Sign Language that will provide free tuition for Cornell Outdoor Education (COE) class offerings. Qualified Cornell students, community members and members of the general public are all eligible for this new scholarship.

The Moving Hands Scholarship is the result of a gift from the Figure Foundation of Bethel, Maine. It is an outgrowth of an earlier, successful scholarship providing free tuition to members of the deaf community for wilderness first-aid training at COE.

"We are very excited to be able to extend our services to the extensive deaf community of Cornell and the public, both locally and across the country," said Todd Miner, COE executive director. "By integrating the deaf, hearing impaired and signers, we enhance the diversity of our student body, benefiting everyone."

The mission of COE is to develop teamwork, leadership and personal growth through outdoor experiences. It is the largest, most comprehensive university-based outdoor program in the country, offering more than 100 different programs, serving more than 10,000 participants each year.

For more information about the scholarship or to register, contact Cornell Outdoor Education at 255-6183, e-mail coed@cornell.edu or see COE's Web site at http://www.coe.cornell.edu/.