Hard-working students get top grades; win lunch with WMU president

From left: Vines, Dunn and Wingard

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Two students participating in Western Michigan University's TRiO Student Success Program have met a challenge to get top grades for an academic year and as a result, earned lunch with WMU President John M. Dunn.

Logan Vines, of Livonia, and Lauren Wingard, of Onsted, won the challenge and were feted at an on-campus luncheon Nov. 17 that also included WMU Provost Timothy J. Greene. Vines is a sophomore majoring in speech-language pathology with a minor in psychology. Wingard, who also is a sophomore, is majoring in audiology.

Dr. Charlotte L. Giscombe, TRiO program director, says students are challenged to obtain a 4.0 cumulative grade point average for at least one academic year. The 2014 duo is the third student group to win lunch with Dunn and Greene since the program's current five-year grant period began in 2010.

TRiO Student Success Program

The TRiO Student Success Program is a learning community that helps first-generation, income-eligible students and those with disabilities transition to college and complete their bachelor's degrees. The program offers a variety of free services tailored to meet participants' individual needs as well as helps participants learn to have fun while achieving their personal and educational goals.

TRiO SSP is funded by a renewable grant from the U.S. Department of Education. WMU's version of the program has been in existence since 1984 and is housed in the Center for Academic Success Programs. It annually offers scholarships, advising, tutoring, mentoring, job and leadership opportunities, and other services to as many as 250 students.

For more information, contact Charlotte Giscombe at charlotte.giscombe@wmich.edu or (269) 387-4450.

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