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COSAM Hosts 10th Annual Summer Bridge Program

The 10th Annual Summer Bridge Program introduced 34 minority freshmen students from across the Southeast to the Auburn University campus during the weeks of June 25 – July 21.

“The Summer Bridge Program has given us a great deal of information, tools and resources to help us at Auburn,” said Brittany Barnes. “I think it’s a great program and I am thankful for the opportunity.”

Summer Bridge is an intensive four-week academic enrichment experience for incoming minority freshmen planning to major in physical and life sciences and mathematics or to enroll in pre-professional programs. The primary objective is to provide this enrichment experience to incoming African-American freshmen with an ACT score between 18 and 26. The program, which is free to its participants, is designed to bridge the gap between high school and college by providing these students with tools needed in order to succeed and graduate in science, mathematics, engineering, and technology curricula at Auburn University.

The annual luncheon, which took place at The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center on Friday, July 21, featured guest speaker, Dr. Hugh Ogletree, whose dentistry practice is located in Phenix City, Ala. Ogletree’s son, Hugh, Jr., is a current COSAM senior.

“When I think of the word bridge, I think of something that will take you from where you are to where you want to be,” Ogletree said.  “This bridge program is taking you from high school to your freshman year in college.”

The luncheon also included testimonials from participants about the Summer Bridge experience.

“The Summer Bridge program has given me a sense of what to expect this fall.  I have learned ways to study and where to go if I need extra help and attention, said Tone’e McCarden.

Sharne’ Rice said that she enjoyed trips to the Coca-Cola Bottling Company and the Hyundai plant.  She said meeting people through the program was the thing that meant the most.  “In a sense, I have met my family for the next four years.”

For more information on Summer Bridge, log on to www.auburn.edu/cosam/minority.  If you would like to know more about becoming a sponsor, contact COSAM Development Officer Sherri Rowton at 334-844-1235.

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