ABAC RECEIVES $500,000 GRANTS FOR UPWARD BOUND PROGRAMS

Abraham Baldwin College recently received two federal grants totaling $500,000 for two Upward Bound programs: Upward Bound Classic in the amount of $280,000 for the first year and Upward Bound Tiftarea in the amount of $220,000 for the first year. Both programs will begin operating under the new funding cycle on September 1.

The Upward Bound Program, which is federally funded through the United States Department of Education, is a college preparatory program for high school students from low-income families and families in which neither parent holds a bachelor’s degree. The goal of Upward Bound is to increase the number of students who enroll in and graduate from post-secondary institutions.

Every four years, all programs have to reapply for funding to the Department of Education and undergo a thorough evaluation. This year, ABAC not only applied for funds to operate the existing program, Upward Bound Classic, but also applied for funds to operate a second program, Upward Bound Tiftarea. Both programs were approved and funded for five years. Only programs whose evaluation scores are in the top 10 percent of all applications submitted receive five-year funding. Approximately 1,500 programs across the United States were evaluated this year.

The Upward Bound Classic Program has been in existence at ABAC for 26 years and serves a total of 50 high school students from Berrien, Colquitt, Cook, Irwin, Tift, and Turner counties. The new program, Upward Bound Tiftarea, will serve an additional 50 high school students from Atkinson, Ben Hill, and Worth counties.

Kenneth Newkirk, Director of Upward Bound at ABAC, said he was very pleased to receive funding for a second program.

“It was very gratifying because we already have one program in existence so the Department of Education could have decided not to approve a second program,” Newkirk said. “I am excited about the challenge of starting a new program and continuing the successful operation of the old program.

“Upward Bound serves as an excellent vehicle for ABAC as an outreach service to help high school students pursue a college education. During the 26 years that our program has been in operation, 96 percent of Upward Bound participants pursued a college education, which shows the program definitely works. And now, because of the new program, we have an opportunity to reach 50 additional students.”

Wasdon Graydon, ABAC’s Director of TRIO Programs, added, “The continuation of the Upward Bound Classic and the funding of the Upward Bound Tiftarea shows a direct link to ABAC’s vision of building on a rich tradition and creating a diverse learning environment that promotes the highest level of student success.”

For additional information about Upward Bound, call (229) 386-7269.

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