FORT WAYNE, Ind.-At a news conference this morning (Wednesday, Sept.
26, 2012), Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW)
Chancellor Vicky Carwein and Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity
Kenneth Christmon announced Upward Bound programs at the university have
received $2.2 million in federal Department of Education grants. 

In prepared remarks, Chancellor Carwein noted the grants are the result
of the leadership and authorship of Ken Christmon. “Ken has twice been
awarded the prestigious “Acorn Award,” which distinguishes him as
one of the top grant writers in the Purdue University system. Ken’s
efforts have worked to yield nearly $10 million for IPFW in grants and
contracts since 2004,” said Carwein. Christmon said when these Upward
Bound grants are completed in five years it will bring the total awarded
to IPFW to $5 million.  

At IPFW, the Upward Bound programs include TRIO Programs, which 
according to the Department of Education are “…outreach and student
services programs designed to identify and provide services for
individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRiO includes eight programs
targeted to serve low-income individuals, first-generation college
students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the
academic pipeline from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs.”

At IPFW, the programs reach out to high school students, giving them
the skills and motivation necessary to not only finish high school, but
to also enter and graduate from college. Since Upward Bound came to
IPFW’s campus in 2004, 250 students have benefitted from those
programs.

For more information on the grants and Upward Bound, contact Christmon
at 260-481-6605 or christmk@ipfw.edu.