Feb. 25: National TRIO Day
University to mark National TRIO Day with 'Imagine U' activities
3:29 p.m., Feb. 21, 2012--The University of Delaware will mark National TRIO Day with a day of "Imagine U" activities on Saturday, Feb. 25, in Gore Hall.
The event is being coordinated by UD's TRIO programs -- Classic Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math Science, Student Support Services and the McNair Scholars Program.
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"We are happy to celebrate National TRIO Day at UD this year," said Cheryl Davis-Robinson, director of the Student Support Services Program. "This gives us an opportunity to showcase the mission of TRIO and recognize the programs' successes."
The federal TRIO programs are outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students and individuals with disabilities as they progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to postbaccalaureate programs.
Activities at UD will begin with opening remarks at 10:15 a.m. in 103 Gore Hall, followed by a campus tour.
After lunch, students and parents will be able to attend a series of workshops.
Workshops for students are "UB and UB: Math Science" at 1 p.m. in 316 Gore Hall, a presentation on the Student Support Services Program at 1:25 p.m. in 317 Gore Hall and a presentation on the McNair Scholars Program at 1:55 p.m. in 310 Gore Hall.
Workshops for parents are "Preparing Your Student(s) for College" at 1 p.m. in 306 Gore Hall and a financial aid presentation at 1:40 p.m. in that same room.
Closing remarks will be at 2 p.m. and UD student performances will begin at 2:35 p.m., both in 103 Gore Hall.
About National TRIO Week
National TRIO Week is a direct result of the defeat of a 1986 bill that put the federal programs in danger of being eliminated after more than 20 years of service to students, Davis-Robinson said.
Parents, students, alumni and TRIO personnel across the country rallied in a grassroots effort to defend the programs, which caught the attention of politicians. Soon after the bill was defeated, Congress established a resolution proclaiming Feb. 28, 1986, as National TRIO Day. The TRIO community has since observed the occasion on the last Saturday of February each year.
Davis-Robinson said TRIO derives its name from the group of federal college-focused educational programs initially created by the Educational Opportunity Act of 1965. The intent of the programs was to remove social and financial barriers and expand educational opportunities to students who otherwise might not be aware of, consider, experience or have access to higher education.
She said TRIO Week sheds light on the programs and their value to students, and serves as a reminder of the 1986 battle that was waged and won to sustain them, a struggle that continues. The ultimate goal of each year's TRIO Week is to celebrate, educate and make the TRIO name more widely known.