Sul Ross celebrates National TRIO Day

ALPINE More than 400 area students celebrated National TRIO Day Feb. 2 at Sul Ross State University.

Students from Alpine, Balmorhea, Fort Stockton, Grandfalls, Imperial, Marathon, Marfa, Pecos, Presidio, Sanderson, Sierra Blanca, Terlingua (Big Bend High School), Valentine and Van Horn enjoyed the festivities. Events included lunch on campus, a greeting from Sul Ross President R. Vic Morgan and an educational/inspirational talk from Commandoes USA.

Students also attended the Sul Ross men’s and women’s basketball games against McMurry and after the games, were treated to an autograph session with Lobo players.

Congress established the TRIO programs in 1965 to help low-income Americans enter post secondary education, graduate, and participate more fully in America’s economic social life.

TRIO programs, such as Upward Bound, Talent Search, McNair and Student Support Services target high-risk students: and first-generation students, students whose parents have never completed a four-year college program and students who meet federal financial guidelines.

These programs are funded by the U.S. Department of Education through grants provided to institutions or agencies having the facilities and expenses to deliver prescribed services.

GEAR UP students also participated at the TRIO Day.

GEAR UP is a federally funded grant program that serves and tracks a cohort of area students who entered seventh grade in the fall of 2005 and continues through a summer college bridge program following high school graduation in 2011.

The program’s design is to ensure that high school students gain early awareness about what it takes to enter college and the opportunities a college education can offer, it also targets first-generation students and students who meet federal financial guidelines.

Sul Ross GEAR UP serves 14 school districts in nine Texas counties bordering Mexico.