Paterson, NJ (June 23, 2005) - Family, friends and students gathered to honor the first graduating class of P.A.N.T.H.E.R. Academy (Paterson and NASA Together for High Expectations and Results). The ceremony for the 55 graduates featured a speech from keynote speaker Dr. Mark McDowell, a NASA Research Scientist/Inventor and a graduate from Eastside High School in Paterson.

P.A.N.T.H.E.R. Academy, an SCC-funded project, was opened in September of 2004 and specializes in aerospace studies. Ninety-eight percent of the students graduating from the state-of-the-art high school will be attending college; 27 percent of P.A.N.T.H.E.R. Academy's Class of 2005 received scores of 1000 or better on their SATs.