The Tacoma Community College Foundation recognized 11 corporations and foundations March 6 for their collective contributions of more than $2.3 million to the Invest In Your Future capital and endowment campaign.
The recognized organizations were: Allenmore Medical Foundation, the Ben B. Cheney Foundation, Columbia Bank, the Forest Foundation/Grantmaker Consultants Inc., Franciscan Health System, the Herbert B. Jones Foundation, KeyBank, MultiCare Health System, Rainier Pacific Bank, the Gottfried and Mary Fuchs Foundation, and the Russell Family Foundation.
The Invest In Your Future campaign is focused around three goals: enhancing access to higher education, strengthening academic programs and funding capital improvements.
The $2.3 million will support health care training programs, TCCs Information Commons (open computer lab), Library/Learning Resource Center renovations, student scholarships and grants, a Child Development Center, and the creation of a Center for Ethical Development.
Every dollar invested will reap many benefits in our community, said TCC President Pamela J. Transue. We are deeply appreciative of these organizations commitment to the college, and I am confident that years from now they will say they made a good investment.
Transue spoke about the rising cost of a college education, the decline of state funding for public higher education, and the public benefits of an educated society. Many of our students are just scraping by, she said. What this community is doing through this campaign is very important.
The recognition event was hosted by Rainier Pacific Bank. Rainier Pacifics history with TCC goes back to our days as a credit union for education employees, said John Hall, president and CEO of Rainier Pacific Bank and a TCC graduate. Being part of this campaign is a natural fit for us. As an organization we look for ways to make a difference in the community.
Additional campaign initiatives are the study abroad program, employee leadership development, and various campus beautification projects, including a Japanese garden.
The Invest In Your Future campaign has raised nearly $6.5 million. Campaign funds will be administered by the TCC Foundation, a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) corporation that accepts and administers private gifts on behalf of the college. Gifts to the TCC Foundation benefit college programs and activities not funded through state operating and capital budgets.
