UVa-Wise alumni of Student Support Services, Upward Bound invited to Homecoming reunion

The Student Support Services and Upward Bound programs at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise will host a reception for TRIO program alumni and their families on Saturday, Sept. 22 in the Gilliam Sculpture Garden at 10 a.m.

Participants in this inaugural event also are invited to attend the Alumni Homecoming picnic at 11 a.m. on the Lawn by the Lake and the Homecoming football game versus Georgetown at 1:30 p.m.

“We welcome all of the instructors, tutors and former participants of Upward Bound or Student Support Services to come together for Homecoming to reacquaint and reminisce,” said Teresa Adkins, director of Upward Bound.

The Upward Bound Program has not had a reunion since the program’s 25th anniversary in 1991. If the event is a success, organizers hope to make the TRIO reunion an annual Homecoming event.

“This reunion will be an opportunity to bring awareness to the community about TRIO programs and how they benefit the students they serve: first generation, low-income or disabled students,” said Marcia Mitchell, director of Student Support Services. “It is also a time to reconnect with our alumni and share with them various ways they can give back to the programs.”

The TRIO programs at UVa-Wise have established a scholarship for college students in honor of Julia Heise, a longtime director of both programs.  Steven Hensley, a former Upward Bound student and current Student Support Services participant, is the first recipient. Interested donors may contact the Office of Development at 276-328-0129 for more information.  

The federally funded TRIO program includes outreach and support programs targeted to serve and assist low-income, first-generation college students and students with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs.

The Upward Bound program recently celebrated 41 years on the UVa-Wise campus, and Student Support Services has served the College since 1973.

Interested alumni should RSVP to Linda Couch in Student Support Services at 276-328-0177 or los5s@uvawise.edu; or to Adam Moore in Upward Bound at 276-328-0175 or jam5bt@uvawise.edu.

Posted Semptember 17, 2007