The Right Stuff Volume 4, Issue 1 Fall 2008
JCC FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS David B. Goldfarb President
Stephen Krusich Vice President
Dr. Stephanie K. Richmond Secretary
Kip Cunningham Treasurer
Thomas Vainner Assistant Treasurer
L. Donald Bush John Crist ’66 Richard N. Dodge ’57 Thomas R. Draper ’66 Janice Sweet Fairley Ronald J. Martoia, Sr. Dr. Edward A. Mathein ’61 Christina L. Medlar Dr. Daniel J. Phelan Dr. George E. Potter ’56 Lawrence L. Bullen ’49 Director Emeritus
Clyde Mauldin Legal Counsel
Jason H. Valente, CFRE Executive Director
Mark Schissler, Sr.
Director of Donor Relations
Kathy Spring ’80
Director of Annual Giving & Alumni Relations
Debbie Johnson
Senior Office Associate
Address changes: Direct address changes, duplicate copy information or requests to: JCC Foundation 2111 Emmons Road Jackson, MI 49201 Phone 517.787.0244 Fax 517.796.8697 www.jccmi.edu/foundation JCC Today is Jackson Community College’s publication for alumni and friends. It is published twice yearly. ON THE COVER: Dr. Daniel J. Phelan shares his wishes and vision for the future of JCC.
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I am an aviation enthusiast. I have a passion for all things air and space. During many of the 10 years I have lived in Jackson, I certainly knew of Jackson Community College but didn’t really have an understanding of the institution or the depth of its impact on our community. My first experience with the College was joining my wife’s fifth grade students on a field trip to the Michigan Space Center on campus, that experience led me to take flight lessons at the College. During my flying lessons, I was impressed by the passion and professionalism of the instructors and the quality of education I received. Having spent my career in higher educational administration, I couldn’t help but follow the progress of JCC while I served at one of our sister community colleges in Livonia. Sometimes we become complacent with the familiar, but I can tell you this: Jackson Community College and President Dan Phelan are highly regarded in the regional educational community, and JCC is seen as a pacesetter for other organizations to follow. In my four months at JCC, I have been constantly reminded of the transformational learning experiences our students have been receiving for more than 80 years. Did you know that more than 200,000 people have taken classes at JCC? The Foundation plays a crucial part in the success of the organization. This year alone, the Foundation will award more than $220,000 to over 200 students (see story on page 10). This support could not come at a more critical time. As enrollment continues to increase, the strain on the limited scholarship funds available also continues to grow. Our students are feeling the pain of increased tuition costs, surging fuel prices, and a soft job market. Our students face a real uphill battle to achieve their dream of a higher education. We need to do our part to get them there. JCC is at a critical point in its history, the
Foundation’s role is pivotal in providing needed resources for growth, development and a first class learning environment. We’ve got the right stuff here at JCC. Under the visionary leadership of President Dan Phelan, the Board of Trustees and the administration, JCC is blazing new paths. I am pleased to report that the Foundation is also in good hands. We are led by a talented and committed board of directors under the guidance of board chair, David Goldfarb. We are also fortunate to have an energetic and passionate staff that is committed to providing access to higher education, and I am extremely proud of their hard work. I am very appreciative for the warm welcome I have received at JCC. The College continues to soar to new heights. I encourage you to stop by and see why JCC has the right stuff.
Jason H. Valente, CFRE Executive Director, Jackson Community College Foundation