UWG News Archive

Day of HOPE

February 3, 2005

CARROLLTON, GA - HOPE scholars all over campus will be recognized Monday, Feb. 14, when the University of West Georgia EXCEL Center sponsors its third annual “Day of HOPE.” This day will give recognition to students who have maintained at least a 3.0 grade point average (GPA).

Cheryl Rice, director of the EXCEL Center, says that it is important to celebrate this high achievement.

“About 67 percent of students across the entire state of Georgia lose their HOPE scholarship yearly, and the students here at UWG are very close to that average,” said Rice.

The HOPE program awards more than $2.3 billion in funds to over 800,000 students attending Georgia colleges, universities and technical colleges. Only 33 percent of students maintain the GPA to keep the HOPE scholarship, however the EXCEL Center offers a number of services to mend the gap, including mentoring, tutoring in the core curriculum, academic advising to all students who have not declared and the Multicultural Achievement Program.

“The EXCEL Center, which was at one time known as the ‘Freshman Center,’ is a resource center on campus that is geared to the needs of all first year students,” said Rice.

UWG’s “Day of HOPE” is designed to help encourage students to do better academically. The event will be celebrated during the men’s basketball game against West Florida University at 7:30 p.m., when students will be asked to stand and be recognized for their achievement.

HOPE scholars will also receive discounts from participating local businesses and restaurants, and the UWG administration will also be giving away door prizes.

This year will mark the first year that HOPE scholarship eligibility will be checked at the end of every spring semester. These check points will be in addition to the 30, 60, and 90-hour check points.

“The EXCEL Center wants to encourage everyone. We want students to know that there are other forms of financial aid available and students who lose HOPE do not have to drop out of school,” said Rice.

For more information, contact the EXCEL Center at 678-839-6280.

-30-