TRIO celebrates students' success Since 1965 an estimated two million students have graduated from college with the special assistance and support of our nation’s TRIO Programs. To honor the students who have succeeded in college and those who are currently working hard to reach their academic goals, UND TRIO Programs celebrated National TRIO Day Tuesday, Feb. 10. Awards were presented to Vice President Robert Boyd, staff, students and alumni of TRIO programs at UND. President Robert Kelley said, “We would like to give a great big thank you to all the hard work behind our TRIO programs, that are accomplished by our staff and faculty mentors.” Boyd was recognized with the Advocate for UND TRIO Award, which is given in recognition of strong advocacy and commitment to the mission of TRIO Programs, which is equal educational access. “If there is any one place on campus that consistently helps make dreams come true, it is certainly the TRIO programs,” said Boyd. He was honored for his contributions to TRIO programs including program enhancing activities, technology resources, office space, and program evaluations. Delilah Yellow Bird (former Upward Bound participant) and Roxanne Jonas (former Student Support Services participant), received the Outstanding UND TRIO Alumni Award, which is given to honor educational and career success by a former participant in UND TRIO Programs. Suzanne Belyea, housing, was honored with the Friend of UND TRIO Award, which is given in recognition of outstanding support for TRIO Programs operations given by a UND staff person. Lynelle Smith received the Outstanding TRIO/Student Support Services Award, which is given to a UND student participating in that program who has achieved academic success. A part of the luncheon program was devoted to student speakers who described their experience in each of the UND TRIO Programs. The students selected (or chosen) to represent the programs included: Carrie Engen, Talent Search student; Makenzi Smith, Upward Bound student; Sara Opsal, Educational Opportunity Center student; Lynelle Smith, Student Support Services student; and Jonna Korpi, Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate student (former Upward Bound and SSS student). Engen, a senior at Tri-County High School in Karlstad, Minn., was chosen to represent Talent Search. She became a Talent Search participant in 2003 and has participated in a variety of activities to help her become a strong student. She is currently applying to colleges with plans to major in Spanish. Makenzi Smith is a junior at Grand Forks Central High School. She has been a member of the Upward Bound Program since she was a freshman in high school. She excels in school as well as being active in the Upward Bound Program. Opsal spoke on behalf of Educational Opportunity Center. She began her college career at Williston State College at the age of 15. This May she will complete her nursing program, and will be an 18-year-old RN. She plans to begin the RN to BSN program at UND in the fall. Lynelle Smith, mother of eight, became a part of UND and TRIO Programs in spring of 2006, when she participated in the Educational Opportunity Center. She became a full-time student and began participation with the Student Support Services program in fall of 2006. She is working toward a degree in education, specializing in the area of English language learners. Korpi, is a senior in the McNair Program, from Cotton, Minn., who will graduate in May 2009 with degrees in psychology and criminal justice. She’s currently in the process of applying to graduate programs focusing on environmental action and public policy. -- Dennis Stangl, Technology Specialist, TRIO Programs, dennisstangl@mail.und.edu, 777-2084