College Celebrates First Annual GEAR UP Day
(Press Release 09-15-09)
Hank Mooney, Office of Public Information

Submitted story

September 11, 2009  – The Eastern Oklahoma State College’s GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow announced today its celebration of the First Annual National GEAR UP Day. This day commemorates 10 years of success for the transformative Gaining Early Awareness and Education for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP), a college access program created during the Clinton Administration. Since its inception in 1999, GEAR UP has improved educational outcomes for millions of low-income students across the United States.

To date, Eastern’s GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow has served over 1,500 students in 23 schools in five counties. The GEAR UP partnership includes Eastern Oklahoma State College, Antlers Public Schools, Bokoshe Public Schools, Buffalo Valley Public Schools, Canadian Public Schools, Clayton Public Schools, Crowder Public Schools, Haileyville Public Schools, Hartshorne Public Schools, Indianola Public Schools, Keota Public Schools, Kiowa Public Schools, LeFlore Public Schools, McAlester Public Schools, McCurtain Public Schools, Moyers Public Schools, Panola Public Schools, Pittsburg Public Schools, Quinton Public Schools, Rattan Public Schools, Red Oak Public Schools, Talihina Public Schools, Whitesboro Public Schools, and Wilburton Public Schools. National GEAR UP Day is a time to celebrate these accomplishments in the local community.

“We are beginning the fourth year of the grant,” explained GEAR UP Project Director Linda Morgan. “The program provides educational opportunities to students, teachers, and parents. Activities range from summer camps, tutoring, mentoring, career planning and advisement, and field trips for students to professional development opportunities for teachers.”

For more information about Eastern’s GEAR UP program, please contact Linda Morgan at 918.465.1722. To learn more about the national GEAR UP program, please contact the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships at 202-530-1135 or www.edpartnerships.org.

About Eastern Oklahoma State College’s GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow—Grant objectives include to increase student academic performance, increase high school graduation rates, increase completion of postsecondary education, improve opportunities for teacher professional development, and improve parental involvement. Visit the web site http://gearup.eosc.edu.

Caption info:

Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow Project Director Linda Morgan, right, watches as Wilburton’s Mayor Stephen Brinlee signs a proclamation declaring September 18, 2009, GEAR UP Day in Wilburton. The proclamation reads:

City of Wilburton
Proclamation
WHEREAS, the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) is a federally funded program designed to increase the number of students who stay in school and succeed in postsecondary education; and
WHEREAS, GEAR UP focuses on students from low-income and underserved communities who might be the first person in their family to go to college; and
WHEREAS, GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow is a partnership of Eastern Oklahoma State College, Antlers Public Schools, Bokoshe Public Schools, Buffalo Valley Public Schools, Canadian Public Schools, Clayton Public Schools, Crowder Public Schools, Haileyville Public Schools, Hartshorne Public Schools, Indianola Public Schools, Keota Public Schools, Kiowa Public Schools, LeFlore Public Schools, McAlester Public Schools, McCurtain Public Schools, Moyers Public Schools, Panola Public Schools, Pittsburg Public Schools, Quinton Public Schools, Rattan Public Schools, Red Oak Public Schools, Talihina Public Schools, Whitesboro Public Schools, and Wilburton Public Schools; and
WHEREAS, the Eastern Oklahoma State College GEAR UP for a Brighter Tomorrow GEAR UP serves over 1,450 students in 9th and 10th grades; and
WHEREAS, Congress has declared September 18th, 2009, as National GEAR UP Day; and
WHEREAS, Wilburton is committed to providing a quality education for all students, helping them to achieve their highest potential:
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Stephen Brinlee, Mayor of Wilburton, do hereby proclaim September 18th, 2009, as
GEAR UP Day in the City of Wilburton
In the State of Oklahoma, and I urge all citizens to join me in this special observance.

Signed 14th day of September, 2009
Stephen Brinlee, Mayor