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UPWARD BOUND AND OBERLIN COLLEGE CELEBRATE 25 YEARS
FEBRUARY 19, 2001-- Oberlin College and Upward Bound will celebrate 25 years of service and accomplishments as part of National Trio Day on Saturday, February 23, 2002 at the Oberlin College Adam Joseph Lewis Research Center for Environmental Studies Auditorium located at 122 Elm Street in Oberlin. Festivities begin at 10:00 A.M. City of Elyria Law Director, Terry Robinson, an Upward Bound participant and Oberlin College Graduate will be the keynote speaker. It is free and open to the public.
In 1965, during the Lyndon B. Johnson Administration, Oberlin College took part along with 17 other colleges in a program known as Middle Start. It was Johnson's commitment to provide educational opportunities for all Americans regardless of race or ethnic background. In 1977, Middle Start became Upward Bound, which continues to mentor, counsel and prepare young students to overcome obstacles that often discourage them. At Oberlin College, Upward Bound was established to help low-income children enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America's economic and social life.
These programs are funded under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are referred to as the TRIO programs. TRIO programs are designed to help students overcome class, social and cultural barriers to higher education. Two-thirds of the students served must come from families with incomes under $24,000, where neither parent graduated from college. Nationally, over 1,900 TRIO Programs currently serve nearly 700,000 low income Americans between the ages 11 and 27 27.
Many programs serve students in grades six thru 12 Most of these students, in many cases, come from neighborhoods that are filled with poverty, violence, discouragement, negativity and hopelessness. Thirty-nine percent of TRIO students are white, 36 percent are African-American, 16 percent are Hispanic, 5 percent are Native American and 4 percent are Asian-American. Sixteen thousand TRIO students are disabled.
There are currently 63 high school students in grades 9-12 from throughout Lorain County enrolled in the Upward Bound program. Participants are from Oberlin, Lorain Admiral King, Southview, Clearview and Elyria High Schools. The Oberlin College Upward Bound program requires that 95 percent of the students enrolled in Upward Bound graduate from high school and at least 85 percent must gain admittance to an accredited college.
During the summer, Upward Bound students also participate in a six-week summer program where 42 participants get a taste of Oberlin College life by living in dormitories and taking high school level courses as part of a structured schedule that keeps them busy from 7:00 A.M. until 10:00 P.M. High school credit is given to students who successfully pass their courses. The Oberlin Upward Bound Summer Program is the only known program that offers one high school credit to students.
Media Contact: Anita Lancaster
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