Friday is National Trio Day

CONTACT: ELAINE SCOTT-MATTISON, EXT. 2239

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2/25/99

PENDLETON --- National TRIO Day, as declared by Congress in 1986, is being observed nationally and at Tri-County Technical College Friday. The day focuses on the needs of disadvantaged young people and adults aspiring to improve their lives, on the investment necessary if they are to become contributing citizens of our country and on recognizing the achievements of the TRIO programs.

To commemorate National TRIO Day locally, the College's TRIO Programs (Educational Talent Search, Student Support Services and Upward Bound) will sponsor an Interactive Informational Exhibit on Friday, February 26, from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. in the upper level of the Cafeteria. TRIO memorabilia, including testimonials from parents, counselors, and students, is available for viewing in the display case located in Anderson Hall.

Since its inception in 1978 at Tri-County Technical College (with the funding of Student Support Services), TRIO has provided academic and motivational support to more than 13,000 first generation/low-income students and students with disabilities who might otherwise have found higher education beyond their reach. Many of these students are or will be the first in their family to attend college.

Student Support Services, celebrating 20 years at the College, provides tutoring in any curriculum course; academic, personal and career counseling; cultural enrichment activities; financial aid information; academic enrichment seminars and transfer assistance through its Two-year/Four year Transfer Initiative Component to 150 Tri-County Tech students.

Upward Bound (funded in 1980) assists 60 area high school students in acquiring the skills and motivation necessary for the completion of secondary school and successful pursuit of postsecondary education. Eligible participants receive instruction in math, English, science and foreign language throughout the academic year (32 Saturdays) and the six-week summer component. Other services include tutoring; study skills seminars; PSAT, SAT, ACT preparation workshops; academic, personal and career counseling; cultural enrichment activities and assistance in completing applications for college admission and financial aid.

Educational Talent Search (funded in 1981) serves 650 students at 14 high schools and 5 middle schools in the three county area. Educational Talent Search strives to provide academic support and cultural exposure to students that are in need of assistance in understanding their educational opportunities and options.

Specifically, participants may receive tutoring; study-skill instruction; academic, career and personal counseling; college admission and financial aid information; college visits; SAT workshops and college admissions fee waivers, if eligible.

SAEOPP (Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel) has recognized three Tri-County TRIO students in the past five years for academic achievement and leadership ability. Victoria Thompson (Educational Talent Search-1998) and Pegi Sanhueza (Student Support Services 1995) were awarded $500 scholarships. Stephone Mickler (Student Support Services-1994) served in Washington, D.C. as the TRIO Desk student.

Dr. Don Garrison, president of Tri-County, in his testimony before the Committee on Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Postsecondary Education, Training and Lifelong Learning, Strom Thurmond Institute in 1997, proclaimed that "no other federal program has as great an impact in encouraging disadvantaged high school students to go to college and stay in college than TRIO. "

To ensure equal educational opportunity, Congress established the TRIO programs over 34 years ago with the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, which authorized 18 pilot Upward Bound programs in 1965. More than 10.5 million Americans have benefited from the services of the TRIO pre-collegiate and collegiate programs; Upward Bound; Upward Bound Math/Science; Veterans Upward Bound; Educational Talent Search; Student Support Services; the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Program; and the Educational Opportunity Centers.

These programs enable Americans, regardless of economic circumstances, race, or ethnic background, to successfully enter college and graduate. Thirty-nine percent of TRIO students are white, 36% are African-American, 16% are Hispanic, 5% are Native American and 4% are Asian, and 16,000 have disabilities. Currently, over 2,000 projects are hosted at more than 1,200 postsecondary institutions and community agencies.

For more information about TRIO, contact Elaine Scott-Mattison, TRIO director, at Ext. 2239 at one of these numbers: Anderson County, 225-2250; Oconee County -- 882-4412; Pickens County -- 859-7033; or Clemson/Anderson/Pendleton -- 646-8361. Persons who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech disabled should call TDD/VOICE 1-800-735-2905.
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