The Foundation of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute held its Annual Fund Campaign kickoff luncheon on Wednesday, March 1 at the J.E. Broyhill Civic Center in Lenoir.
Featuring community leaders, campaign volunteers, and college faculty and administrators, the event starts fundraising efforts for the Foundation’s Annual Fund Drive. Peg Broyhill, Chair of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, offered opening remarks and welcomed the crowd of supporters. Broyhill also announced the goal for this year’s campaign as $365,000, the highest to date for the campaign. Broyhill also announced that CCC&TI Board of Trustees Vice-Chairman, Jerry Church, will lead this year’s drive.
Church, who currently serves as Granite Falls Town Manager, has been on the CCC&TI Board of Trustees since 1996, and has served as Vice Chairman since 2000. Prior to his post with the Town of Granite Falls, Church rose through the ranks at Broyhill Furniture Industries during his nearly 30-year career there. Church is also a graduate of CCC&TI.
“I’m truly excited to lead this year’s effort and to help the Foundation reach its goal. Earning a college degree is one of the most important journeys someone can take. CCC&TI provided a great start for me and has been a large part of my life ever since,” said Church. “The work of the Foundation is crucial to ensuring that future students have these same opportunities. The Foundation helps so many students in so many ways. So thank you for what you’ve done and what you’re going to do to help us reach our goal this year.”
Deborah Murray, Vice Chair of the Foundation and Director of the Caldwell County Economic Development Commission, spoke to the group about the value of CCC&TI in the community. “CCC&TI has been one of the most critical factors in the transformation of our county over the last few years. When unemployment soared, the college opened its doors wider than ever before and helped people train for new jobs,” said Murray. “This is not a charity drive and not a hand out. The recipients of the scholarships and assistance that the Foundation provides make the commitment and do the heavy lifting. They make us proud and that’s what the Annual Fund Drive is about – the transformation of individuals and families.”
A current CCC&TI student and a graduate who received assistance from the Foundation also spoke at the event. Faith Draper is a second-year student working toward a degree in Medical Office Administration. As a single mom, Draper said that the assistance provided by the Foundation has helped her move beyond just making ends meet. “I was working two and sometimes three jobs to try and provide for me and my son. But I was dreaming of a career,” she said. “The Foundation of CCC&TI has opened so many doors for me.” Draper is now employed full time with the Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce as Manager of Membership Services and continues to work toward her degree. “I am doing a job I love and have plans to continue my education. And in the future, I definitely want to give back to my community.”
Nyri Guevara, a graduate of CCC&TI, also spoke at the event. Guevara received two scholarships and did her work study in the Foundation Office. She earned a degree in Business Administration and then transferred to Appalachian State University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Management. In September 2016, Guevara returned to the Foundation Office as the full time Program Assistant. “Thank you all for what you do because without the support and the financial assistance provided by the Foundation, I would not be standing her today,” she said. “Your time, your contributions, they are changing lives and you have forever changed mine.”
Broyhill recognized the faculty and staff members at CCC&TI, who kicked off their portion of the campaign in February. To date, the employee campaign has raised almost $30,000 and employees are continuing to bring in pledges.
CCC&TI students are also working to raise money for the campaign. The Student Government Association is hosting a Dinner and a Movie event on March 10 that will include a gourmet meal and the movie “La La Land.” All proceeds from the event will go the Foundation Annual Fund.
Broyhill introduced each of the team captains for this year’s campaign. They are Dr. Mark Poarch, Peg Broyhill, Barbara Freiman and Marty Waters, Barbara Weiller and Joan McGee, Guy Walters, Jr. and Wayne Keller, Deborah Murray and Mary Frances Sullivan.
Board priorities for this year’s campaign include funding for scholarships, the Dream Award Program, childcare, student emergencies, academic support and professional development.
For more information on the Foundation of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, or to make a gift to the Annual Fund Drive, visit www.cccti.edu/foundation or contact the Foundation Office at 828-726-2203.
