(Paterson) – Assemblyman Benjie Wimberly issued the following statement on the 50th Anniversary of the Educational Opportunity Fund:
“In my 30 years as an educator and 30 years as a football coach–I’ve dealt with EOF at all levels. One of my best experiences was when I first came back from college. I was actually a reading specialist for EOF at Passaic County Community College in 1991 and at William Paterson University in 1992.
“One of the students I’ve worked with recently was homeless and in an abusive family situation. Through EOF, a New Jersey institution took him in year round so that he could have a safe place to stay and begin his coursework. EOF is proven and it works. I hope more of our high school students are exposed to the program and truly see the possibilities of pursuing higher education.
“It was an honor to join the roundtable today with Governor Phil Murphy, Former Governor Tom Kean, my colleague Senator Nellie Pou and Secretary of Higher Education Zakiya Smith Ellis at William Paterson University. EOF has helped to create a pathway to college for many New Jersey students for a half of a century. It will continue to serve students for fifty more years, I’m sure.”