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Photo by Eric Engman

Photo by Eric Engman

The celebration of National TRiO Day at the University of Alaska Fairbanks is a ceremony designed to honor students who are disabled, first-generation university students or are low-income.

“Today, we not only celebrate their achievements but the barriers they have overcome,” said Joseph Hickman, Student Support Services director.

The event honored high-achieving students from Student Support Services as well as those from Upward Bound, a program focused on preparing high school students for college.

Hickman said Student Support Services currently has 160 UAF students in its program, and Upward Bound Director Andy Angaiak said there are 140 students statewide in his program.

“Students in TRiO programs are twice as likely to graduate than students from similar backgrounds who are not in the program,” Hickman said.

Charity Curlee, a mother of two and a partipant of the Student Support Services program, told the audience she has received support, leadership and guidance from the program. She also said amenities such as a fax machine and computer have helped her as a student, but one of the most helpful things was one of the simplest.

“Sometimes the best thing is a quiet place to study,” Curlee said.

Assistant Provost for General Students Dana Thomas, who was recognized as TRiO Champion for helping direct university funds toward the program, said the statewide program receives $3.3 million in federal funds, with the University of Alaska matching less than three percent of that amount. Thomas said a 10 percent match of federal funds would be a huge increase for the program.

“I’m a first-generation student, and I have seen how it has changed my life and my siblings’ lives,” Thomas said.

The event also recognized senior Sarah McCarr as the TRiO Achiever for her involvement in the program since 1999. She has served as an intern at the House of Representatives and worked with Sen. Ted Stevens. McCarr will graduate in May 2008 with a degree in finance.

Hickman said McCarr has been involved in every TRiO program and has even served as a mentor in the program. Hickman encourages students to visit the Student Support Services office on the fifth floor of the Gruening Building on campus to find more information about the services the program offers.

“I was a first-generation student, and I know the struggle students go through, and I want to make sure it’s not that hard for them,” Hickman said.