Upward Bound Alumni and former instructors are invited to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Upward Bound program at the University of Maine at Presque Isle campus. The celebration on Saturday, Nov. 27, is scheduled for 1-4 pm in the UMPI Campus Center and will include a social time and appetizers.

The Upward Bound program was established on the UMPI campus in 1980. It has served hundreds of students over the last 30 years. Since 2007, the UMPI program has collaborated with the University of Maine at Fort Kent and UMPI’s Houlton High Education Center in order to better serve students in the St. John Valley, as well as Southern Aroostook.

Upward Bound is a federally funded program open to high school students who qualify financially, or are the first in their families to attend college. Working with area high schools, the program identifies students who could benefit from the intensive academic, cultural enrichment, and other college preparation services that Upward Bound provides. The program has been successful in assisting participants, who might not otherwise have attended, to go to college and persist until they meet their degree goals.

“It is extremely rewarding to watch as young people set and achieve their educational goals,” said Darylen Cote, Director of Upward Bound. “It is not easy, but they have persevered, and we look forward to celebrating their individual successes along with our program’s 30th anniversary on November 27.”

For more information about the celebration or to RSVP call 1-800-734-3636 or 834-8624 or email rene.gorneault@maine.edu. RSVPs are requested by November 6.