TCNJ Marks 40th Anniversary of Campus’ EOF Program

A recap and photo gallery from the on-campus event celebrating EOF’s four decades of success in providing access to TCNJ for highly motivated, yet economically disadvantaged students.

Words by TCNJ's editorial staff

eof

In March, students, alumni, staff, and faculty who have been a part of TCNJ’s Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) Program gathered in Harold W. Eickhoff Hall to celebrate the program’s four decades of success in providing access to TCNJ for more than 1,300 highly motivated, yet economically disadvantaged students. The evening featured dinner, dancing, and a special presentation honoring the program’s first director, Casper Lonesome, PhD, and the program’s Charter Class of 1968.

At the time of its inception, the EOF program at then-Trenton State College was called Project Counseling Help and New College Experience. During its first year, 32 students from Trenton, NJ, were enrolled. As the years progressed, the program served more and more students from across the state.

From the onset through the mid-1980s, Lonesome served as the program’s director, touching the lives of the students who each went on to earn their bachelor’s degree at TCNJ. Since 1986, the EOF Program has been under the direction of James Boatwright, director of Academic Support Programs.