The University of Denver’s Learning Effectiveness Program is celebrating 25 years of supporting students with learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the Driscoll Ballroom.

Director Ted May said the program began with only a handful of students in 1982 but now assists 230 students.

May said he is proud of its success stories. The 25th anniversary celebration will highlight their students’ accomplishments.

“Our students become very successful. We have a doctor in New York, a human resources director in Denver and a Denver County Sheriff,” said May.

LEP is an academic resource for learning disabled/ADHD students. Students who enroll in the program receive academic advising and specialized tutoring. Ten counselors and more than 40 tutors cover topics from writing to business. May said the program is, “purposefully interdisciplinary” and can cater to all concentrations. The cost for the program is about 900 dollars a quarter.

Freshmen and sophomores rely more on the program than upperclassmen. According to May, LEP students (like other DU students) may need additional support for their first two years of college.

May said the services offered through LEP are above state standards and, “our [LEP’s] graduation rates are comparable or even higher than that of DU’s graduation rates.”

However, May said that the relationships that are fostered in LEP last far beyond graduation.

“We have very close relationships to our students. In fact, I just had dinner with one of my old students the other night,” said May.

May started his career as a special education teacher and says he knew at once that he wanted to work with students. “The very first day I knew this was for me,” said May.

May said he relates to his students because school used to be challenging for him. “Writing was traumatic for me, I needed help,” stated May.

Today, May said that his favorite thing about his job is, “the student work, its different every single day.”