May 21, 2007

A group of Arkansas lawmakers in Washington have announced that over $6 million in grants have been awarded for Upward Bound programs across the state, and Lyon College.

U.S. Senators Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, and U.S. Representatives Marion Berry, Vic Snyder, John Boozman and Mike Ross last week announced that the grants will go to 18 higher education institutions, and that Lyon College’s share of that total is $390,480.

The funding will go toward the College’s APPLE Project Program.

The APPLE Project – which stands for Accelerated Program of Personalized Learning and Enrichment – works with eligible high school students who have the academic potential and desire to succeed in postsecondary education. Lyon College has offered an Upward Bound program since 1967, serving high school students in Northcentral Arkansas.

Upward Bound, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Education, serves high school students from low-income families, high school students from families in which neither parent holds a bachelor's degree, and low-income, first-generation military veterans who are preparing to enter postsecondary education.

Funded through the U.S. Department of Education, the APPLE Project’s goal is to increase the number of high school graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds who enter college and persist to become college graduates.

Through a 24-week Academic Session, a six-week Residential Summer Session, as well as a Bridge Component for its most recent high school graduates, the APPLE Project offers college-credit and college preparatory courses.

In addition the program, also offers academic tutoring, learning skills development, career counseling, academic advisement, personal counseling, cultural, social, and recreational enrichment and a nurturing academic climate.

At Lyon, Kim Boehm serves as APPLE director, and Annette Castleberry is the assistant director and academic coordinator. John Chiaromonte is the peer counseling coordinator, Dana Davidson the administrative and tracking coordinator, and the newest staff member is administrative assistant Jennifer Pitts.

Dr. Bruce Johnston, Lyon’s vice president for Student Life and Dean of Students, said the APPLE Project has decades of success with young people from this area.

"I’m delighted that the APPLE Project has been refunded for the next four years," Dr. Johnston said. "Kim Boehm and her staff do a superior job of identifying young people with potential, motivating them to achieve, and providing the tools and inspiration they need to succeed in college and beyond. We’re very proud of their good work."

Over 1,200 Arkansas students participate in Upward Bound, which provides fundamental support to participants in their preparation for college entrance. The goal of Upward Bound is to provide opportunities for students to reach success in high school, and ultimately in their higher education pursuits.

For more information on Lyon’s APPLE Project, contact Boehm at: kboehm@lyon.edu, or by phone at (870) 698-4263.