The East Baton Rouge Laboratory Academy is the recipient of a $32,000 grant from the I.A. O’Shaughnessy Foundation.  Funds from the award were used to provide each of the school’s 90 ninth-grade students with a small lightweight, portable computer known as a Netbook.  The students will use their Netbooks at school and at home to access resources, collaborate with peers, publish on the Web and acquire many other skills they will need to succeed in the 21st Century.

The I.A. O’Shaughnessy Foundation was established in 1941 by Ignatius Aloysius (I.A.) O’Shaughnessy to provide structure and continuity to his charitable giving.  From his humble beginnings as the son of Irish immigrants, O’Shaughnessy made his fortune in oil refinery and gas exploration.  In spite of his great financial success, he always kept his fortune in perspective and took great delight in sharing his wealth with others.  Upon O’Shaughnessy’s death in 1973, and according to his wishes, the work of the Foundation was entrusted to his five children. 

Even to this day, the Foundation’s Board of Director’s is composed of Mr. O’Shaughnessy’s direct descendants and their family members. In keeping with the patriarch’s belief that quality education is essential for the success of children, the foundation is currently focused on providing grants to “support high-quality education that prepares students in disadvantaged communities for educational and life success.”

According to EBR Lab Principal Molly Williams, the school is recruiting students for next year.  For more information, log on to ebrlab.ebrschools.org.