Corn Honored As 2008 ‘TRiO Achiever’ by Oklahoma Division of Student Assistance

The Oklahoma Division of Student Assistance (ODSA) has honored Sen. Kenneth Corn with the 2008 TRiO Achiever Award. The annual award is designed to recognize and honor former Oklahoma TRiO participants who have demonstrated exemplary accomplishments in their professional pursuits and for whom TRiO played a fundamental role in their educational achievements.

The TRiO Programs were established by Congress under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to help low-income Americans enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in our country’s economic and social life.

Sen. Corn became involved in the TRiO Program after participating in a talent search program as a student in Poteau.

“The impact this program has had on my life cannot be overstated,” said Corn, D-Poteau. “If it weren’t for programs like TRiO, I wouldn’t have been able to reach my goal of a college education. From an early age, I understood the importance of programs that extend educational opportunities to the less fortunate, and that has continued throughout my time in the Legislature.”

Amber Mitchell, Chair of the 2008 ODSA TRiO Achiever Nomination Committee, said Corn embodied the program’s spirit of excellence and achievement.

“I’m honored that he represented our program and it’s a real pleasure to say Sen. Corn is a product of TRiO,” she said. “He really stands for everything that our program represents. His proposals in the Senate to extend educational opportunities to low income students are the sort of public policy that can make a real difference in our state.”