Contact: Jack Bailey (304) 766-4109 jbaile19@wvstateu.edu
Sept. 10, 2013 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
INSTITUTE, W.Va. – The Upward Bound program at West Virginia State University (WVSU) will begin its fall program with the Annual Leadership Summit Saturday, Sept. 14, beginning at 9 a.m. in Wallace Hall.
High school students and their parents will have the opportunity to attend informative workshops, ranging from preparing for college to finding scholarships.
A luncheon will follow the workshops at noon in the Wilson University Union, featuring keynote speaker Jessica Lynch.
A West Virginia native, Lynch is a former Private First Class in the U.S. Army and a former prisoner of war. She was rescued by U.S. Special Operations Forces in 2003 after being injured and held captive by Iraqi forces for nine days. Her rescue was the first successful rescue of an American POW since World War II.
Lynch now speaks to various groups around the country about overcoming obstacles and how perseverance helped her survive her captivity. She delivers a message that despite difficult circumstances, a positive outlook and determination can help individuals accomplish their goals.
“She is an excellent role model who has overcome every barrier placed before her and prevailed,” said Barbara Cary, director of the Upward Bound program at WVSU. “Our students can take a page from her book and reaffirm their commitment to hard work and excellence in pursuing their dreams of becoming teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, or any other profession that they would like to attain.”
Since 2007, the Upward Bound Program at West Virginia State University has been changing the lives of first generation college students. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, the pre-college program is designed to prepare high school students to enroll and graduate from college. Upward Bound is one of three TRIO programs established at WVSU, designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Upward Bound Math-Science prepares students to pursue careers in the science, technology, engineering and math disciplines.
For more information about the Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math-Science programs, contact (304) 766-3120.