While TRIO might have originated as a demonstration program serving just a handful of students for a few million dollars in the 1960s, it has grown into a billion-dollar program serving nearly a million students by the 21st century. As several of the programs can now boast of 50+ years of service, our community has had many opportunities to share the life-altering contributions that TRIO has made in the lives of low-income, first-generation students. COE encourages all TRIO programs to commemorate such a milestone by organizing events, reaching out to alumni, publishing stories and op-eds, and using social media.
As part of each 50th Anniversary celebration, COE hosts a national student video competition that highlights the impact of TRIO on students, schools, communities, and families. Upward Bound celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2014. The student video contest winner, Delaware Tech Upward Bound, was honored during COE’s 33rd Annual Conference at a luncheon on September 10, 2014, in Washington, D.C.
Noteworthy Upward Bound Alumni
- Patrick Ewing, Hall of Fame NBA Player, Upward Bound, MIT-Wellesley
- Denyce Graves, Opera Singer, Upward Bound, Howard University
- Wil Haygood, Author and Journalist, Upward Bound, Ohio Dominican College
- Michael Muse, Co-Founder, Muse Recordings, Upward Bound, Michigan State University
- John Quiñones, Correspondent for ABC News and Host of “What Would You Do?,” Upward Bound, St. Mary’s University
- Stephen D. Perry, Principal and Founder, Capitol Preparatory Magnet School and Author, Upward Bound, Wesleyan University