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Denzel Johnson, music education major and TRIO FESP graduate.
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Tyler McClenny, a secondary education student, is presented with a cord and certificate from TRIO FESP staff.
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Cheyenne Rose-Blankenburg, a special education and elementary education student, walks to receive her cord.
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Tammy Eaton and Natéya Moore from TRIO FESP congratulate students.
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Natéya Moore, director of the TRIO FESP.
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WMU President Edward Montgomery.
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Dr. Marcia Fetters, senior associate dean in the College of Education and Human Development at WMU.
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A black and red cord was presented to graduates of the TRIO Future Educator Success Program.
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A dinner was held to celebrate the graduates of the TRIO program at WMU's Bernhard Center.
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Students from both the TRIO Future Educator Success Program (FESP) and the Student Success Program were celebrated during their semi-annual graduation ceremony at the Bernhard Center on April 18. During the ceremony, students were presented with cords in the TRIO colors of black and red to wear at graduation. And students also shared a formal dinner with TRIO staff and University administration, including WMU President Edward Montgomery.
"You persisted, you hung in there and you didn't just survive you prospered," said Montgomery during his speech. "You're building something really really special, and we couldn't be prouder of you."
According to Natéya Moore, director of TRIO FESP, the FESP program provides future teachers with academic, emotional, financial and social support. Participants in the program also have access to mentors who can assist them during career and graduate school exploration.
"We are with them from orientation to graduation," says Moore.
TRIO FESP has graduated 275 first-generation or income-eligible students or students with disabilities since its inception in 2010, adding 22 this academic year.
"I was happy to be part of the celebration because I know these future educators give me a lot of hope for what is going into the classroom," says Tammy Eaton, coordinator of program services in TRIO FESP. "I know that their students are going to be well taken care of."
About TRIO future educators success program
The TRIO Future Educator Success Program is a United States Department of Education federally funded grant program that promotes the success, retention and graduation of future teachers from Western Michigan University. TRIO FESP works with teaching majors who are first-generation, income-eligible students or students with disabilities to help them work toward graduation. The program offers students assistance in career and graduate school exploration, financial aid, opportunities for community involvement and academic support. Learn more about the TRIO Future Educator Success Program
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