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For Immediate Release Contact: 304-327-4096
(Bluefield)—The West Virginia Access Center for Higher Education, Inc. (WVACHE), headquartered at Bluefield State College, has received a second $5,000 contribution from Appalachian Power, a unit of American Electric Power. Awarded not long after a previous 2006 grant, the contribution will support the WVACHE’s efforts to encourage more West Virginia high-school students to go to college. The WVACHE is currently funding Access Projects in 13 high schools around the Mountain State.
“The WVACHE greatly appreciates the continued support of Appalachian Power,” said Sarita A. Rhonemus, WVACHE Executive Director. “Our efforts are dependent upon grants and donations, and Appalachian Power’s financial contributions are going to help us inspire more young people in the Mountain State to attain a better quality of life for themselves and their families through higher education.”
The WVACHE program awards grants on a competitive basis to high schools for a proven program of activities designed to increase the college-going rate. West Virginia high schools compete for two-year Access grants focusing upon activities to encourage students to pursue higher education.
Typical activities include field trips to college campuses, business alliances, parent meetings, college/career fairs, utilization of college exploration software, and teacher visits to schools and businesses. “These activities help students and their parents explore college opportunities and career possibilities while, at the same time, demystifying the college experience as well as building students’ confidence and self-esteem,” Rhonemus explained.
Based on the college-going rate increases reported by the 13 West Virginia high schools being funded in the WVACHE’s 2005–07 grant cycle, an estimated 322 additional graduating seniors enrolled in college in fall 2006 than would have without participating in a WVACHE Access Project.
For more information about the WVACHE, please contact Sarita A. (Gattuso) Rhonemus, WVACHE Executive Director, at 304-327-4096 or sgattuso@bluefieldstate.edu, or visit the website at www.oache.org/wvache_home.htm.
March 6, 2007
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