Penn State Intercom......February 22 , 2001

Students to
celebrate TRIO Day

To honor students that have succeeded in college with the support of our nation's TRIO Programs, TRIO students, college graduates, administrators, counselors and teachers will celebrate National TRIO Day on Feb. 24. Several events are being planned at the University Park campus, including:

* An awards ceremony recognizing individuals at University Park and from the surrounding State College community who have made exemplary efforts to help students in the TRIO programs -- scheduled for 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 23 in Heritage Hall in the HUB-Robeson Center.

* A gathering of closeto 200 high school students who participate in Upward Bound programs sponsored by Clarion University, Lock Haven University, Penn State University and St. Francis College -- to be held on Feb. 24 on the University Park campus.

Since 1965, more than 10.5 million Americans (67 percent from poor and working families) have benefited from the services of the TRIO pre-college and college programs: Talent Search; Upward Bound; Upward Bound Math/Science; Veterans Upward Bound; Student Support Services; the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Program; and the Educational Opportunity Centers.

Penn State University Park sponsors seven TRIO programs, which annually assist more than 4,000 low-income citizens from sixth-graders through adults to overcome social, economic and class barriers in order to advance their education beyond high school. TRIO students come primarily from low-income families (below $25,500 for a family of four) in which the parents did not graduate from college. Another program, the Comprehensive Studies Program, funded by the state and the University, helps in-state college students from similar backgrounds. The University also operates a College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP) for students from migrant or seasonal farm-work families, funded by the federal government.

Since access and retention services are an absolutely essential component of the federal strategy to ensure equal educational opportunity, Congress established the TRIO Programs more than 34 years ago. These programs enable Americans regardless of economic circumstance, race or ethnic background to successfully enter college and graduate.

"In many communities throughout America, the TRIO Programs are the only programs that help low-income Americans to enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America's economic and social life," said Arnold Mitchem, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education.

TRIO programs are designed to identify promising students, prepare them to do college level work, strengthen math and science skills, provide tutoring and support services to students once they reach campus, and provide information on academic and financial aid opportunities. More than 2,400 projects are held at more than 1,200 postsecondary institutions and more than 100 community agencies.

Thirty-nine percent of TRIO students are white, 36 percent are black, 16 percent are Hispanic, 5 percent are American Indian and 4 percent are Asian. Sixteen thousand TRIO students have disabilities.

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