The Foundation of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute held its Annual Fund Campaign kickoff luncheon on Wednesday, March 8 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 $405,000, the highest to date for the Annual Fund Drive.
Broyhill’s remarks were followed by a video featuring community leaders who spoke on the impact that the college has on the community. The video included remarks from CCC&TI Trustee James Sponenberg, CCC&TI student and Outreach Navigator Jessica Teeters, CCC&TI Watauga Campus Executive Director Ronald Holste, and CCC&TI Student Government Association President Emily Norwood. Each expressed their gratitude for the impact that CCC&TI has on its students, their families and the greater community. “When a student comes to CCC&TI, they have this sense of community starting with the first person they encounter when they walk through our doors. Everyone is willing to help the student 100 percent from day one to the day of their graduation,” said Teeters. “That has not only an impact on the students, it even goes directly to their families and therefore the community.”
Foundation Vice-Chair Deborah Murray also spoke on the college’s impact at the event. “In this room, I see experience, accomplishment, inspiration, resources and so much more. And I have a question for you to consider, do you remember a time in your life when your own possibilities gave you goosebumps?” she said. “We are providing that moment of hope for a lot of people at CCC&TI. We are removing barriers and allowing students to get goosebumps about their possibilities and their futures.”
CCC&TI Student Government Associate President and Foundation scholarship recipient Emily Norwood poses for a photo with Foundation of CCC&TI Chairwoman Peg Broyhill.
CCC&TI President Dr. Mark Poarch thanked those in attendance for the work they do through the Foundation to support students and help them reach their goals. Poarch also commented on increasing enrollment, future expansion projects on both campuses, and the many partnerships that help CCC&TI provide more opportunities for more students. “CCC&TI is thriving and in great shape and that’s a reflection of your support,” said Poarch. “The Foundation is a vital part of what we do. Thank you for your personal investment and for helping us tell our story.”
A video featuring several scholarship recipients was also shown during the event, including comments from several students who had received scholarships and were positively impacted by the support they received from the Foundation. “This scholarship means a lot to me. I don’t think I would be here at this point in time without this scholarship,” automotive student Bryce Horton said. “The support takes a huge burden off and lets me focus on my school.” Another student spoke about the impact of her scholarship award: “I’m very, very thankful because the scholarship is going to help me finish school so I’ll be able to provide for my daughter,” student Krystin Rogers said. “From the bottom of my heart, I’m just thankful.” Other students who appeared in the video included Alexis Farmer, Hailey Holsclaw, Jonathan Jordan, Lolita Shields, Sonya Plante and Anthony Szary.
CCC&TI President Dr. Mark Poarch speaks to the audience during Wednesday’s Foundation of CCC&TI Fund Drive kickoff.
Broyhill introduced each of the team captains for this year’s campaign. Along with Broyhill, they are Barbara Freiman, Doug Johnson, Joan McGee, Deborah Murray, Dr. Mark Poarch, Mary Frances Sullivan, Jeanne Whisnant, and Wade Wilmoth.
Foundation Executive Director Marla Christie recognized CCC&TI’s faculty and staff members, who kicked off their portion of the campaign in February. To date, the employee campaign has raised a record-high of more than $42,000. Fundraising efforts among employees, as well as students, will continue throughout the spring.
Board priorities for this year’s campaign include funding for scholarships, the Dream Award Program, student aid, athletics and other academic support.
For more information on the Foundation of Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, or to make a gift to the Annual Fund Drive, contact the Foundation Office at 828-726-2260 or visit www.cccti.edu/donate.