FORT KENT — University of Maine at Fort Kent and the TRiO Student Support Services Program held the 10th annual recognition banquet on April 25 to honor students involved in the TRiO program. UMFK President Dr. John N. Short provided the welcome address.

The banquet’s keynote speaker was Karen Hadley Keim. Hadley Keim has worked for the University of Maine’s Educational Opportunity Center and Talent Search programs for 24 years, currently as director. 

The following local students were recognized for their significant determination and persistence toward academic achievement and attaining their academic goals: Abdi Hussein of Lewiston; Rebecca Brown of Bowdoin.

The following local TRiO students were recognized and presented with their Student Support Services cords, which they will wear at graduation. The graduates-to-be include: Adriarna Ross of Peru; Dennis Sanborn of Oxford; Alexander Trask of North Monmouth.

UMFK Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Steven Gammon closed the evening’s ceremony.

TRiO Student Support Services is funded through the Department of Education under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 and are referred to as the TRiO Programs because there were initially three programs.  TRiO programs are designed to help low-income, first-generation and/or disabled students, under the guidelines of the American with Disabilities Act, Americans enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America’s economic and social life.

The Student Support Services Program’s focus is to insure that participants have a realistic chance to persist in school and graduate from UMFK. To accomplish these objectives, the program provides services to enhance students’ academic success, personal skills and social skills.