Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute

CCC&TI Foundation Community Campaign Begins

CCC&TI Foundation Community Campaign Begins


The Foundation of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute held its Annual Fund Campaign kickoff luncheon on Tuesday, March 3 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 announced the goal for this year’s campaign as $380,000, the highest to date for the campaign. Broyhill also announced that CCC&TI President Dr. Mark Poarch will lead the 2020 Annual Fund Drive campaign.

Poarch, president of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute since 2016, is a native of Caldwell County with more than 28 years of community college experience. Prior to being named president, Poarch served as executive vice president and in several other leadership roles. Poarch spoke at the event and mentioned several successful ventures for the college including completion of the new student services center on the Watauga Campus in Boone, partnerships with Appalachian State University, expanded program and athletic offerings, and the purchase and naming of the new Paul H. Broyhill Center for Advanced Technologies, among others. “Thank you for your investment in CCC&TI,” said Poarch. “Thank you for all you do for our students, for providing avenues for access and avenues for student success. Let’s build a world-class community college and a world-class community and let’s do it together.”

Peg Broyhill, Board Chair for the Foundation of CCC&TI, announces the $380,000 fundraising goal for the 2020 Annual Fund Drive

Peg Broyhill, Board Chair for the Foundation of CCC&TI, announces the $380,000 fundraising goal for the 2020 Annual Fund Drive

A new addition to the program this year was a short video featuring CCC&TI students who have received scholarships or assistance through the Foundation. Students Katie Smith, Lance Rotting, Porsha Norwood, Abby Reece, Elijah Brooks, Zoee Falder and Amaiya Williams shared how scholarships and financial assistance from the Foundation have helped them as they pursue their educational goals. Associate Degree Nursing Student Katie Smith is a wife and mom to four. “My going back to school has been a huge investment that we needed to make. Without the help from scholarships, I would have to had to work throughout the program and I wouldn’t have done as well,” she said. “There’s a lot more cost to going back to school than just tuition. There are books, testing supplies, gas for getting to and from clinical sites. Having the flexibility of a scholarship that I can use to pay for all of the others costs has been really helpful.”

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. “There are so many important ways that this college touches lives and changes lives for the better. CCC&TI makes pathways to 21st Century jobs and we have plenty of those these days in Caldwell County,” said Murray. “The needs are great but the successes are incredible when we work together.”


CCC&TI President Dr. Mark Poarch speaks to those in attendance at the Foundation of CCC&TI’s Annual Fund Drive Campaign Kickoff

CCC&TI President Dr. Mark Poarch speaks to those in attendance at the Foundation of CCC&TI’s Annual Fund Drive Campaign Kickoff

Broyhill introduced each of the team captains for this year’s campaign. They are Barbara Freiman, Guy Walters, Wayne Keller, Joan McGee, Barbara Weiller, Deborah Murray, Dr. Mark Poarch, Mary Frances Sullivan, Peg Broyhill and Wade Wilmoth.

Foundation Executive Director Marla Christie 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 more than $26,000 and employees are continuing their efforts.

CCC&TI students are also working to raise money for the campaign. The Student Government Association is hosting several fundraising events on campus and throughout the community including a Spirit Night at Village Inn Pizza in Lenoir on Thursday, March 19. Another will be held in June at Chick-Fil-A in Lenoir.

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 828-726-2260.



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