Environmental horticulture major benefiting from Upward Bound Program

When Phil Buchstaber graduates from the University of Maine in spring 2016, he will be the first person in his family to step off the stage holding a college diploma.

He credits much of his success to the Upward Bound program.

Buchstaber will attend Upward Bound’s 50th anniversary reunion at the University of Maine on Aug. 8 to celebrate the program’s commitment to providing opportunities for first-generation college students from low-income families.

“I’m stoked to be going to the reunion. I wouldn’t miss it. I feel like I owe them everything,” he says.

When Buchstaber was a sophomore at Central High School in Corinth, his guidance counselor gave him a hall pass to attend an informational session about the program.

He vividly remembers the director of the program, Lori Wingo, showing the statistics of college graduates within his demographic.

He said it gave him the push he needed.

“She made it abundantly clear that the time you are in Upward Bound is the time where you can make something of your life,” he says. “She would say,  ‘you are going to be successful, and you’re gonna do it on your own.’”

For the next three years, Buchstaber of Stetson spent six weeks of his summer at UMaine preparing and learning how to be successful in college. The weeks were filled with classes, workshops, community meetings and educational field trips.

The program — which began at UMaine in 1965–66 — provides students with resources for scholarship opportunities, financial aid and college applications with the goal of increasing the rate at which participants complete secondary education.

Even during the school year, counselors from the program stay engaged with students; creating a network of support for participants.

Every two weeks, Faith Erhardt came to Buchstaber’s school to see how he was doing. For an hour, he could talk about whatever he wanted.

“If it wasn’t for all of what Upward Bound did while I was in high school and through the program and through the 18 total weeks of summer camp, I don’t know where I’d be,” Buchstaber says. “They planted the seed for what you needed to do and the goals you should have when it comes to college.”

Buchstaber participated in the Classic Program, which provided academic guidance for students looking to go into fields that were not science, technology, engineering or mathematics. Due to federal funding cuts, the Classic Program was eliminated at UMaine in 2012. The math and science program remains.

Today, Buchstaber is thriving at UMaine as an environmental horticulturist major with a minor in business.

“What I enjoy most about college is the amount of growth one is able to achieve,” Buchstaber says. “If you had freshman-year Phil sitting here, it would be two different people. At 16, I would have hoped to be where I am today.”

He is currently apprenticing with Brad Libby, manager of the Lyle E. Littlefield Ornamentals Trial Garden and the Roger Clapp greenhouses. Libby also teaches woody landscape plants at UMaine, which has been Buchstaber’s favorite class.

“Phil is one of the most exuberant students that I have worked with and he has maintained the same high level of enthusiasm and curiosity all summer,” Libby says. “I am looking forward to working with Phil as he continues his education in horticulture. Students like Phil are a big part of what makes working here at UMaine so rewarding.”

During the third summer Buchstaber attended the Upward Bound Program, he received a scholarship which allowed him to attend college and be debt free.

“During community meeting one day, someone stood up to make an announcement. They announced that I got the Travelli scholarship,” Buchstaber says. “I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it. It was an amazing moment. Upward Bound made it clear that you had to get academic scholarships.”

Buchstaber looks forward to the days when money isn’t a constant worry.

“I’m tired of ends being met so closely. I want ends to meet and be able to throw it into savings, instead of shaving by. Having a degree will help make that possible,” he says.

“I had a great childhood; my house was great, my parents are great and everyone loves each other. I wouldn’t change a thing. It just has to do with quality of living.”

After graduation, Buchstaber would like to travel and become a licensed arborist.

“I wish I could put into words how much this program should be offered to kids. I mean, especially for the kids it is already offered to. That’s huge. But also for other kids that need a boot in the pants. It’s an opportunity to get an education. It’s an unbelievable program.”

Contact: Amanda Clark, 207.581.3777