The Korea Foundation has donated $250,000, the first installment on a $1 million pledge, to the University of Hawai'i-Manoa Center for Korean Studies for a professorship endowment.

The pledge will be matched with money raised by the Center for Korean Studies and the University of Hawai'i Foundation, making the total endowment $2 million.

An independent organization affiliated with the Republic of Korea Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korea Foundation was established in 1991 with a goal of enhancing Korea's image and reputation through the promotion of academic and cultural exchange programs.

$50,000 DONATED FOR PROFESSORSHIP

The Shidler College of Business at the University of Hawai'i-Manoa has received a gift of $50,000 from the accounting firm KMH LLP for the establishment of the Donald A. Corbin Distinguished Professorship in Accounting.

The professorship is the first of its kind to be established in accounting and will enable the business college to attract and retain world-class faculty with expertise in the field, officials said in a press release.

The professorship is a two-year effort to obtain an endowment of $750,000.

Donald Corbin, an emeritus professor of the College of Business, and his wife, Martha, are long-time supporters of the school and have helped launch the professorship initiative with their own financial gift.

GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR DRIVING SAFETY

State Farm Insurance is offering $2,000 to $5,000 grants to student groups to create and execute plans to educate other students about the dangers of careless driving.

"Shift into Safety" will fund campaigns that will help change teens' thinking and behavior behind the wheel.

Any student group within a school can apply for a grant by Oct. 20.

For applications and details, contact Carolyn Fujioka at 836-3946 or carolyn.fujioka.atxn@statefarm.com.

MUSIC TRAINING FOR TEACHERS SET

Leilani Miranda, educator with the early childhood music education company Musikgarten, will hold workshops Oct. 2 to 4 at the University of Phoenix at the Mililani Town Center for preschool and elementary teachers.

Public-schoolteachers may receive three professional development credits for completing the training.

The workshops will help teachers develop an understanding of children's developmental needs and the impact of music education. They will demonstrate the benefits of music and movement in the classroom on musical, physical, emotional, social and cognitive growth.

For more information or to register for a workshop, contact Temple Olayan at 372-3337 or visit www.musikgartenhawaii.com.