Mr. Ketelsen graduated from the Northwestern University in 1952. He is the retired chairman of the board of Tenneco Inc. and is currently a director of Sara Lee Corporation. He is a former regent of the University of Houston System, a member of the Business Council, and a trustee of the Houston Grand Opera Association, Northern University, and the Texas Heart Institute. He was a member of the 1994-1995 Texas Commission on Children and Youth, a member of the Texas Head Start Collaboration Task Force, a member of the State Board of Education Task Force on Early Childhood & Education, and chairman of the Texas 2000 State Coordinating Team.

"Saving inner-city children from academic failure is one of the most critical issues now facing our state and our nation. I got involved because I believe inner-city education has to be solved for the good of all of us. The cost of failure is too high - a devastating waste of human potential and severe economic costs to our country. To remain competitive as a nation, we must reverse the dropout rate and ensure our graduates have the skills to compete in an increasingly high-tech world. Project Grad has proven effective in lowering dropout rates, improving test scores in math and reading, and motivating more young people to go to college. To me, ultimate success of the program is the look of hope and promise in each smiling face that comes forward to receive a scholarship. I think you will agree that Project GRAD really does achieve dreams."

James L. Ketelsen

Founder and Chairman