Stangl receives Rising Star Award Dennis Stangl, technology specialist for TRIO Programs, was presented the Rising Star Award at the fall meeting of ASPIRE Inc. in Missoula, Mont. This award is given to a person in the region that has worked for TRIO two years or less and has made significant contributions to their TRIO program. ASPIRE Inc. was organized in 1976 when personnel from the 48 TRIO programs in Federal Region VIII contributed $2 toward the expenses of a committee to create an association and a forum for professional personnel involved in TRIO programs or other programs devoted to educational opportunity for low income and first generation college students. It would provide a vehicle to strengthen the professionalism and expertise of association members through communication, professional development, political awareness and technical assistance, and provide unity of purpose, definition and representation among the projects and project personnel. Dennis Stangl is currently the webmaster for TRIO Programs. Prior to joining UND, he worked for more than 10 years as a journalist/photographer and editor with several newspapers. He received his bachelor's degree from Moorhead State University and is currently pursuing his master's degree in instructional design and technology from UND.