The U.S. Department of Education has named Eastern Oklahoma State College as one of only nine colleges and universities nationwide to receive million-dollar grants under its GEAR UP program.  Eastern will receive $6.7 million over the next six years to help pre-college students succeed with their postsecondary education.  The college with campuses in Wilburton and McAlester is the only grant winner in Oklahoma and one of only 27 in the nation.  The grant is the largest in Eastern’s history.

Top Grant Winners by First-Year Funding Levels in Their Original Grant Applications

Washington State University	Pullman	WA	$1,982,400
Baylor University	Waco	TX	$1,893,354
Syracuse University	Syracuse	NY	$1,376,000
Eastern Oklahoma State College	Wilburton	OK	$1,374,400
University of California, San Diego	La Jolla	CA	$1,283,353

Eastern is partnering with 19 junior and senior schools, the Choctaw Nation, and a number of regional businesses to address severe gaps in services and resources in five southeastern Oklahoma counties.  Officials will have $1,129,600 in 2006-07 to reach help 1,400 sixth and seventh graders with tutoring, enrichment and travel programs, counseling, and summer camps to build academic skills and college aspirations.  Eastern will guide these students all the way through high school graduation and college admission.   

Other activities include college and career advisement for students and parents, access to multimedia computers and online interactive educational materials.

President Dr. Richard Bernard was quick to credit grant writers Leah Miller, Eastern’s Director of Enrollment Management and Project Director Linda Morgan, whose staff will include four educational site coordinators, two professional development coordinators, a web/computer technology specialist, data analyst and an office assistant.

 “All the studies tell us that the single most important factor to a successful college experience is initial academic preparation,” Bernard said.  “Eastern is very successful in raising its student’s test scores.  Our students enter with test scores below state and national norms, but they finish with scores above those levels.  Eastern’s teaching is solid.  Now the college is accepting a new challenge to support the schools in early student preparation.”

GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) is a federal initiative to increase the number of low-income students who enter and succeed in postsecondary education.  GEAR UP provides grants to colleges and their public school, tribal, and business partners to provide services at middle and high schools.

“The grant,” Rep. R.C. Pruett, Antlers, said will “help the young people of our area succeed in life.  These funds will come directly to southeast Oklahoma, and no one is more capable than Eastern to help our pre-college students prepare for their future.  I have had an opportunity to work with Dr. Bernard and his staff in the past and no one does a better job in getting things done.”

Sen. Richard Lerblance, Hartshorne added, “Many students in our region simply lack the preparation necessary for college.  These dollars coming to southeastern Oklahoma through Eastern will go a long way toward preparing students for a successful college education.”

Miller said the Choctaw Nation has officially endorsed the project and committed the Nation as an exclusive partner to provide a “Brighter Tomorrow” – the official name of the project -- to economically disadvantaged youth in southeastern Oklahoma.

 “Through the leadership of Assistant Choctaw Nation Chief Mike Bailey and Executive Director of Education Joy Culbreath, personnel will visit partner schools, help support the tutoring and mentoring component and career exploration portions of the grant,” Miller said.

Area businesses committing resources and partnering with Eastern on the project include AmericInn of McAlester, First National Bank and Trust of McAlester, KESC Enterprises LPC, NARCONON, Roy’s Cardinal Foods and Sonic Drive-In of Wilburton.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Eastern Oklahoma State College was notified by the U.S. Department of Education through U.S. Rep. Dan Boren it was to receive a nearly $7 million GEAR UP grant. Eastern grant writers Linda Morgan and Leah Miller explained the grant operation and details to Eastern regents during their Friday (7-21-06) board meeting. Eastern regents include: (seated from left) Mark Jordan from McAlester; John Shero, Wilburton; Eastern President Dr. Richard Bernard; Burl Williams, Stigler; Audry Balentine, Wister; Dale Covington, Edmond, and Ken Bass, Wilburton. Regent Mike Bailey, Durant, was not present for the photograph.

Source: The GEAR UP website:  http://www.ed.gov/programs/gearup/awards.html