University of Southern Maine

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Local Upward Bound at USM Scholar Named One of 254 Nationally to Receive $20,000 in Scholarships from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation

-Needs-Based Dell Scholars Program Recognizes Low-Income Students Who Are Determined to Succeed-

May 15, 2008

GORHAM, Me – Bosco Oringa, a participant for three years in USM’s Upward Bound program and senior at Portland High School has been named one of 254 new Dell Scholars, by the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation’s Dell Scholars Program, a scholarship program unique in the type of students it supports and how it fosters those students on their path to a college degree. Oringa was the only Maine student to be named a Dell Scholar in the 2008 competition.

As a Dell Scholar, Oringa will receive $20,000 to continue his higher education for the next six years. In addition, the Dell Scholars Program provides its students with technology, resources and mentoring to ensure they have the support they need to obtain a college degree. The additional resources have contributed to the program’s 89 percent retention rate, well above the national average of 22 percent for these students.

“We are very proud of Bosco Orgina for this exciting recognition from a prestigious, national scholarship program,” said Laurie Davis, executive director of the USM Upward Bound program. “Bosco is very focused in his determination to succeed. He has been an active participant in the Upward Bound program at USM, both during the academic year and the six-week residential summer programs. He will continue to use the skills learned in Upward Bound as he pursues a college degree at the University of New England to realize his career goals.”

“A college education opens so many opportunities for young students to pursue their dreams,” said Kevin Byrne, director, Dell Scholars. “We hope to send our scholars with everything they need to be successful in school. The students will hopefully inspire others in their families and communities to dream big and empower their minds with higher education.”

Most of the Dell Scholars are first-generation college students, and are chosen because they participate in an approved college readiness program (such as Upward Bound) and maintain at least a 2.4 grade point average on a 4.0 scale while dealing with personal responsibilities at home or in their communities. Requirements also include graduation from an accredited high school, demonstrated financial need and intent to enter a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited higher education institution in the fall.

Upward Bound is a federally-funded program established by Congress to help students from low-income families enter college, graduate, and be successful. Students in the Upward Bound program are four times more likely to earn an undergraduate degree than those from similar backgrounds who did not participate in such a program. USM has hosted an Upward Bound program for the past eleven years and serves Maine students from Biddeford, Bonny Eagle, Massabesic, Portland, Sacopee Valley, and Sanford High Schools. The program includes academic counseling, college-application assistance, and a residential summer program at USM Gorham that involves academic studies, enrichment, cultural awareness, community service, field trips, college visits, and internship-based work experiences. For more information, please view Web Site www.usm.maine.edu/upwardbound or contact:

Laurie J. Davis, Executive Director
University of Southern Maine
Upward Bound Program
37 College Avenue
Gorham, ME 04038 207-780-5203
upwardbound@usm.maine.edu

The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (www.msdf.org) is dedicated to improving the lives of children living in urban poverty around the world. With offices in Austin, TX and New Delhi, India, the Dell Foundation funds programs that foster high-quality public education and childhood health, and improve the economic stability of families living in poverty. With an endowment of $1.3 billion, the foundation has committed almost $450 million to global children’s issues and community initiatives to date.For a complete listing of the 2008 Dell Scholars, go to www.dellscholars.org.

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