DR. BILL COSBY TO RECEIVE AWARD FROM COMMUNITY COLLEGE OF PHILADELPHIA

PHILADEPHIA, December 6, 2007 - Renowned actor, comedian, author, educator and humanitarian Bill Cosby, Ed.D, will receive Community College of Philadelphia's first Allen T. Bonnell Award at the Pathways Awards Breakfast at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, Dec.13, at The Down Town Club Catering and Conference Center, 6th and Chestnut streets.

The Bonnell Award is named in honor of the first and founding president of Community College of Philadelphia, Allen T. Bonnell, Ph.D. Dr. Bonnell's belief that education should be a right for all, not just the privileged few, led to the formation of Community College of Philadelphia. The award recognizes an individual who has demonstrated a commitment to access, opportunity and transformational change. Dr. Cosby embodies those characteristics. His innovation and determination in providing and advocating for educational initiatives has been inspiring.

For decades, Dr. Cosby has advocated for individuals to better themselves by focusing on obtaining a quality education that can lead to a rewarding career. This year, he has called on community colleges to play a key role in educating young people. In speaking engagements around the country, Dr. Cosby has reiterated this theme, imploring young people to obtain their education and then go back and help the troubled youth in their communities.

Part of Dr. Cosby's mission is focused on helping to stop the violence in Philadelphia and around the country. In April, he spoke at the American Association of Community Colleges' national convention in Tampa, Fla., and challenged community college leaders to step up efforts to train students to enter careers, such as psychology and social work, through which they can help at-risk and incarcerated youth.

Others being honored at the Pathways Awards Breakfast include: Corporate Partnership Award - Bill Knott, regional president for Wachovia Bank; Foundation Keystone Award - Barbara Cohen of The Hassel Foundation; Civic Investment Award - Cecilia Moy Yep, founder of the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation; Community Philanthropist Award - Kal Rudman, music industry pioneer and philanthropist; Alumni Achievement Award - Community College of Philadelphia Alumnus Paul Gluck, executive director, Kal and Lucille Rudman Institute for Entertainment Industry Studies, Drexel University.

The Pathways Awards Breakfast is sponsored by Comcast Corporation, The Glenmede Trust Company and the Independence Foundation, as well as Agoos/Lovera Architects; Beneficial Bank; Citizens Bank; Independence Blue Cross; Jacques Ferber, Inc.; Keystone Mercy Health Plan; Edward Y. Kung, Ph.D.; Verizon; and Bill and Eileen Whiteside.