HIGHLAND HEIGHTS — Covington-based Ashland Inc. has given a $1 million boost to the science and math programs at Northern Kentucky University.

        Ashland announced Friday contributions of $500,000 apiece to endow a science and math program for elementary and high school students, and to help pay for equipment in NKU's new $38 million Natural Science Building.

        “We view this as an investment in our community,” Ashland chief executive officer Paul Chellgren said.

        Half of the money will create an endowment for the Ashland Summer Enrichment Program, designed to better prepare students in primary through 12th grades for science and math through hands-on learning experi ences and activities.

        NKU will apply for a matching gift for the program through the state's “Bucks for Brains” program, said university presidentJames Votruba.

        “If this is matched by the state's Bucks for Brains program, Ashland's gift will grow in value to $1.5 million,” he said. “We are proud to have this partnership in promoting cutting-edge math and science education.”

        Ashland's additional $500,000 would help outfit the science building — set to open in fall 2002 — with what Dr. Votruba called “state-of-the-art science equipment.”

        The gift is one of the largest corporate donations NKU has ever received.

        “We're so impressed with this new science facility that we wanted to do something to support those efforts,” said Chuck Whitehead, president of the Ashland Foundation.

        Mr. Chellgren said allocating money for science and math programs could ultimately help the company attract engineers, scientists and other workers.

        A diversified company, Ashland is involved in the production of gasoline, motor oil, car care products and chemicals.

        It also operates one of the nation's largest road construction companies.

        “Ninety percent of all the graduates from NKU stay in this area,” Mr. Chellgren said. “This could improve our ability to have the work force to accommodate the industries we see down the road.”

        The gifts come amid news that NKU has its largest enrollment — 12,903 students — and a record freshman class of 4,116.

        Ashland's Foundation gives about 63 percent of its annual budget to education, Mr. Whitehead said.

        In the last three years the company donated more than $1 million to NKU.

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