Wayne Allen | Daily Times
The Scioto Foundation held a UCAN Go to College Night, at the Friends Center Monday. Pictured are participants talking with representatives of various colleges.
WAYNE ALLEN
PDT Staff Writer
On Monday evening, the Scioto Foundation hosted its UCAN (University/College Access Network) Go to College Night, at the Friends Center. The night was part of a month-long series of UCAN events to provide information and advice to area students and their parents on ways to plan, prepare and pay for college. On Sept. 24, the program follows up with UCAN Go to College Carnival for kids in grades K-3.
“In these economic times, nights like tonight are extremely important. Kids need to start thinking about college as freshmen and sophomores in high school. They need to start formulating their plan for financing their education and start looking at where they might want to go to college,” said Dr. Wayne Wheeler, past chairman of the Scioto Foundation.
As a part of the evening on Monday, a college fair was held that included vendors from financial services organizations, to provide information to participants on ways to fund their college education. Other representatives at the college fair included, Ohio University Southern of Ironton, Ohio University Chillicothe, University of Cincinnati, University of Rio Grande, Shawnee State University, Miami University, Morehead State University, Marshall University, the Ohio State University, Scioto County Career & Technical Center and Daymar College, among many others.
A presentation was given on time management, and a panel of recent college graduates held a discussion on what to expect in the freshman Year. Presentations were also given on the subjects of standardized tests and high school rigor, the college application.
According to the Scioto Foundation the UCAN program has shown progress in reaching its goals, over its four years of existence.
According to www.sciotofoundation.org, “the Scioto Foundation values learning and the attainment of a college education for any and all in our community who chose to access it. A college education and its potential impact upon individuals and families can have a-far reaching effect upon the quality of life for the residents of the Scioto County area. In response to our lessons learned, our value of learning, and commitment to improve the quality of life for the residents of the Scioto County area, the Scioto Foundation has created the University College Access Network. UCAN is a program dedicated to providing financial assistance for our local youth to attend college.
The UCAN plan envisions the creation of a network connecting Scioto County school systems, families, community partners, local donors and the Scioto Foundation working together to achieve a mission that makes it possible for any child who wants to go to college to achieve that dream.”
Kim Cutlip, Scioto Foundation Executive Director recently provided an update on some of the program successes.
“All twelve school districts in Scioto County are participating in the UCAN program. Seven Scioto County high schools met their goal of raising $10,000 to achieve a 1-1 maximum match for their UCAN scholarship endowments from the Scioto Foundation for the 2011-2012 school year,” Cutlip said.
She said the foundation contributed $102,459.26 in matching funds for the UCAN program, for the 2011-12 school year. According to released information from the foundation 12 schools awarded 35 scholarships in the 2011-12 school year using UCAN scholarship funds.
On Monday, Sept. 24 the foundation is sponsoring a UCAN Go to College Carnival from 5 to 7 p.m. at Earl Thomas Conley Park in West Portsmouth. The event is geared towards students area students in grades K-3 and their parents or caregivers. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Admission to the carnival is a non-perishable or canned food item. The event will feature, games, giveaways and prizes.
For more information about the Scioto Foundation call 740-354-4612 or visit www.sciotofoundation.org.
Wayne Allen may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 208, or wallen@heartlandpublications.com.
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