Marquette's Educational Opportunity Program is celebrating 35 years of aiding low-income and first-generation students attending college.

The program began in 1969 and has produced about 1,500 alumni, said Alexander Peete, director of EOP — College Division. The program has three main components: pre-college, college and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program for post-graduates.

The pre-college component caters to eighth graders and high school students from around the country who are interested in pursuing higher education at Marquette, Peete said. The students participate in Upward Bound and the Science and Mathematics at Marquette programs, in which students take classes at Marquette during the summer.

The college division of the EOP serves 280 Marquette students, the allotted number of slots the federally-funded program can fill, Peete said.

Participating students go through a five-week program during the summer, where they take classes in history or sociology, writing and math, Peete said.

Students who successfully complete the summer program return to the program in fall. EOP then gives academic support through advising, tutoring, mentoring, workshops and computer labs in Marquette Hall, Peete said.

"Our main goal is to bring students into the university, make sure they stay and make sure they graduate," Peete said.

He said the program has started to cater especially toward freshman because it is during a crucial year where students decide to continue in college or start working.

EOP is a diverse program serving various different groups of people, said Pette, who hopes the program will eventually include more than 280 college students.

"EOP is like the United Nations. We have every nationality, religion and ethnic group," Peete said. "Our hope is to one day expand the program. So many people want to get in and we can only serve 280."

Peete also said he wanted the EOP "to become more visible on campus."

"We are thankful and pleased to be part of the university and to be part of what's going on at Marquette and we're happy that we made it 35 years," he said.

Some EOP alumni have now become employees of the program.

"EOP to me is like one big family," said Chandar Robertson, EOP Counselor Recruiter and EOP alumna. "They basically took care of me during my four years at Marquette. They eliminated the majority of the stress that normal college students go through."

Robertson said he is glad the program is still part of his life.

"Not only is it a good program to be in when you're in college, it's also a good program to work for," he said.

Another EOP alumnus and employee, Nate Ziareck, said EOP is a great "support system" and vehicle for diversity.

"Obviously I think it means a lot to a lot of people, especially to me," said Ziareck, EOP technical support specialist. "This program really helped me to make it through."

EOP's anniversary celebrations are detailed on its Web site, www.eop.mu.edu.