Boston, MA – July 25, 2005 – The residents of Madison Park in Roxbury won't worry about a lousy Internet connection anytime soon.

Senior management students Paul Geffken, Andrew Clapp, Deane Geddes, Villyphone Voarvong, Edwin Barrientos, and Frantz Paillant of Wentworth Institute of Technology are developing a business plan to bring wireless Internet to the residents of Madison Park in Roxbury, Mass. The plan calls for the expansion of an existing 20-user network to one that allows for 500 residents to use the Internet. The students have been working since mid-May.

The project will conclude on July 27 th when the students present their completed business plan to Madison Park. Immediate funding for the network will come from Madison Park Development Corporation.

This business plan will be the foundation for Madison Park to build its wireless network. The community hopes the new technology can educate and increase communication among residents.

“We want this Internet connection to get residents excited and involved in civic engagements," says Madison Park staff member Mickey Malabon. “There will also be online courses and tech support for our residents."

The students are excited about bringing wireless technology to the Madison Park community. “There is clearly a digital divide in society," says senior management major Paul Geffken. “For many people, technology is not a part of their life. For instance, one resident of Madison Park became excited when he used a mouse!"

The group has been working hard to address the needs of the Madison Park residents. “They had a need, we had a class of seniors," says management Professor Patrick Hafford, who oversaw the students in this project.

“They have put in a lot of time outside the class, met with movers and shakers, and they have taken field trips and attended conventions and community meetings," said Hafford.

To understand the needs of the community, the seniors held focus sessions with residents of Madison Park. These sessions revealed to the students the values in community work.

“Service learning gives an opportunity to do practical business activities with the community," Geffken says. “This project has value to Wentworth and ourselves; the most interesting part is learning about the neighborhoods and the people who live there."

Even more satisfying than working with and understanding a different community will be seeing the completed project on July 27th. “How many undergraduates study a non-profit intently? These students have become experts on Madison Park," says Professor Hafford. “They are doing something that's real and beneficial, and that's better than any other type of work."