Foundation Gathers Money for Scholarships
Lumberton, NC (June 13,2010) -
The Robesonian RCC Today Article
The Robeson Community College Foundation just completed the 2010 annual Campus Fund Drive when RCC employees are asked to make pledges to support the student scholarship program at the college.This year’s fund drive has the theme “Funding Futures” — suitably named, since proceeds from the event topped a record $28,000 in pledges and donations.
According to Lynda Parlett, RCC Foundation executive director, it appears this is the year for records at RCC. With student enrollment at a record level, employees have responded to the drive in record numbers.
“Last year the Campus Fund Drive netted a little over $12,000 toward student scholarships and support. That was a record from previous efforts. I knew that setting a $20,000 goal this year was quite ambitious but the need on campus is so great. Enrollment is growing quickly and the financial need of students is increasing just as rapidly so when the Campus Fund Drive committee met to consider setting a goal, we agreed that we had to pull out all of the stops,” Parlett said.
Parlett assumed the position of executive director on April 1. Prior to this appointment, she served as the college’s director of grants and sponsored programs.
“Since I arrived at RCC five years ago, I’ve been impressed with the resourcefulness of the faculty and staff on this campus. I’ve observed folks with the ability to do so much for the students with relatively few resources and with such great attitudes that it’s made me want to do more myself. So, when I was given the opportunity to lead the foundation and the Campus Fund Drive, I wasn’t surprised to find that the members of the committee and the campus community really stepped up to the challenge of an extraordinary goal. What did surprise me was the extent to which they not only accepted the challenge but ran away with it,” Parlett said.
To promote participation among all College employees and encourage some friendly competition, the campus buildings were divided into teams that vied for the largest amount of pledges and donations contributed to the fund. The wining team will soon enjoy a scrumptious lunch courtesy of Arnold West and the Village Station
.To wrap the campaign, RCC faculty and staff enjoyed an afternoon of well-deserved fun and good food on May 21 at the annual luncheon event. An element of fun was added to this year’s event by introducing a silent auction and reverse raffle. Through the generosity of local businesses and foundation board members, there were many silent auction items to choose from. Some of the more popular items were a large gift basket filled with office supply goodies donated by Forms & Supply, a portable gas grill courtesy of Lowe’s, a fresh fruit arrangement from Edible Arrangements and an University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill collage print signed by former Tarheel coach Dean Smith donated by board member Ellen Price.
Scholarships can provide opportunities for many students who cannot otherwise afford the cost of tuition and books. They also pave the way for future graduates who will become productive taxpayers in our community. Scholarships are most certainly an investment in the community’s future.
RCC President Charles Chrestman continues to be inspired by the employees’ generosity and commitment to student success.“In these times, such giving makes one realize just how special the students of Robeson Community College are to our employees. I am very, very proud of the staff,” Chrestman said.
The foundation was established in 1985 to receive tax-exempt donations and to channel them into areas that will benefit the college. The foundation directors have determined that the greatest area of need at RCC is student scholarships.
Parlett notes the annual fund drive gets some much appreciated help along the way from many area businesses, which show their support for RCC by providing support in the form of merchandise, coupons and gift certificates
.For information about becoming a foundation donor, call (910) 272-3235. All gifts are tax deductible. Read more:
