Carman Williams
cwilliams@weatherforddemocrat.com
Students in 25 surrounding counties received a college acceptance letter along with their diploma when they walked across the stage of their high school graduation.
Graduating seniors in qualifying school districts were automatically accepted to Weatherford College because of the college’s involvement with the Closing the Gaps initiative.
This program strives to have up 1.5 million students in Texas colleges and universities by 2015.
In order to meet this goal, 630,000 students must enroll and graduate from college in the next seven years — over two times the number that will attend college based on current trends.
In order to increase the number of high school graduates getting an advanced degree, colleges are trying to raise awareness among students and parents about the importance of a college degree.
Weatherford College has been involved with Closing the Gaps since it began several years ago.
This year, Weatherford College implemented the College Connection program to guide seniors through the college admissions process.
“By going out to high schools and sitting down with all seniors, we hope to remove the barriers that have historically prevented them from pursuing higher education,” Glenn Yockey wrote in an e-mail.
Yockey is the dean of enrollment management at Weatherford College.
He said although the college will avail itself to many students, the flexibility of Weatherford College’s class schedules will keep the school from over-crowding.
Yockey also said accepting almost all local graduates would not have a negative impact on the Weatherford College’s academic standards.
“Nothing has changed regarding the conditions of admission at Weatherford College,” he wrote. “Students still need to complete high school, provide a transcript and are still required to do needed testing and complete all prescribed remediation.”
Because of their cooperation with Closing the Gaps, Weatherford College received a $22,000 grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
According to the College Connection Web site, Weatherford College will provide one-on-one support for every student, providing help with college applications, financial aid forms, college entrance exams and college course registration.
The Web site also includes a link for students to fill out their applications, financial aid forms and exams online.
Yockey noted many seniors completed the admissions process before graduation.
According to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Web site, the organization’s commitment to Closing the Gaps reflects its commitment to Texas.
“Meeting those goals means a bright future of economic vitality, social independence and civic engagement for the citizens of Texas,” the THECB Web site states. “Not meeting those goals means a future of lower household incomes, more stress on social services and fewer people capable of participating as contributing citizens to this great state.”
Students in Aledo, Alvord, Boyd, Bridgeport, Brock, Bryson, Chico, Decatur, Gordon, Graford, Granbury, Jacksboro, Lipan, Millsap, Mineral Wells, Paradise, Peaster, Perrin-Whitt, Poolville, Santo, Slidell, Springtown, Strawn, Tolar and Weatherford ISDs are eligible for Weatherford College acceptance.
Local News
June 23, 2008
Stress-free application: College Connection guarantees acceptance
- Local News
-
-
Photos tell history of Weatherford
Weatherford is a town rich in tradition and history, and it was that history that motivated local researchers Jonelle Bartoli and Brenda McClurkin to document it through their new book, "Images of America: Weatherford, The Early Years."
The more than 100-page book details the lifestyles and changes for Weatherford through photographs and tidbits of information, dating back to the mid-1880s. - Court reviews departments' capital needs
- Controversy caused by judge's campaign material
- Former Willow Park employee claims firing unfair
-
Sheriff, judge at odds over mailer
Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler sent out a statement and automatic phone calls across the county Wednesday saying he did not endorse incumbent 43rd District Judge candidate Trey Loftin, following a mailer sent by the judge’s campaign that included a quote from Fowler.
However, Loftin said Thursday Fowler made the referenced statement to a room full of people at a fundraiser for Loftin and agreed to let Loftin’s campaign quote the sheriff. - Film director looking for local actors
-
Book Smart
- Pastors: bring prayer back
- Weatherford council approves rezoning requests
- City won’t accept recall petitions
- More Local News Headlines
-
Beryl Makes Landfall on Florida Coast
UN Blames Syrian Forces for Shelling Houla
Raw Video: Gay Protest Blocked in Moscow
Vatican in Chaos After Butler Arrested for Leaks
Jimmy Carter Endorses Egypt's Election Results
Biden Addresses West Point Graduating Class
Dozens of Children Killed in New Syria Attack
Raw Video: Activists Allege Massacre in Syria
NJ Man Charged With Murder in Death of Patz
Support, Fun for Kids of Fallen Soldiers at Camp
Fugitive Penguin Caught, Returned to Aquarium
50 Years Later, Underground Fire Still Burning
Light Show Transforms Sydney Opera House
Raw Video: Unruly Passenger Restrained in Miami
Raw Video: Robber Uses Drive-thru Window
Raw Video: Dragon Arrives at Space Station
Calif.'s Coronado Named Nation's Best Beach
CEO Salaries Become Sore Issue in Labor Disputes
