Alabama TRiO Day

WHEREAS, TRiO Programs, Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math and Science, Veterans Upward Bound, Student Support Services, the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program and Educational Opportunity Centers, were established more than 40 years ago to help low-income students overcome class, social, academic and cultural barriers to higher education and provide invaluable services to low-income and/or first-generation college students to heighten their chances of successful matriculation at the postsecondary education level; and

WHEREAS, for the year 2013, approximately 28,610 low-income and/or first-generation college students in Alabama, including veterans and individuals with disabilities, benefited from the 97 pre-college to graduate level TRiO Programs; and

WHEREAS, TRiO Day is being celebrated across the country to honor and praise the TRiO Program participants who are striving to achieve academic excellence and a higher quality of life through the pursuit of higher education; and

WHEREAS, TRiO Programs have played a major role in reducing Alabama’s dropout rate by encouraging and supporting high school completion, increasing the number of college graduated by providing needed guidance and support for successful matriculation and reducing defaults in student loan programs by helping low-income students better understand their financial obligations; and

WHEREAS, TRiO Programs throughout Alabama support the educational dreams and aspirations of all Alabama citizens, creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to complete a postsecondary education:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim March 8, 2014, as

Alabama TRiO Day

in the state of Alabama.