RCC Foundation receives surprise gift of $25,000
It was quite a surprise for the RCC Foundation, a phone call that said a major gift was on the way, in fact a $25,000 gift. But the timing couldn’t have been better, as the RCC Foundation had already scheduled a luncheon for its Board members that day at Outback Steakhouse, making it the ideal opportunity to receive this “token of appreciation.”
The donation was from the Robert P. Holding Foundation and was presented by First Citizens Bank. It was the third donation the RCC Foundation has received from the organization. The money received will go towards the First Citizens Bank Endowed Scholarship, which was established in 2021 with an initial gift of $30,000. To date, the RCC Foundation has received $75,000 in scholarship funds for this endowment.
“This gift will definitely help to make the future much brighter for students at Robeson Community College for generations to come,” stated Vice President Dr. Johnny Smith, who oversees the RCC Foundation, as he accepted the check. “We are so grateful and appreciative to the Robert P. Holding Foundation and First Citizens Bank for this amazing donation and for their continued support of RCC, the RCC Foundation, and our students.”
The endowment was created to support the programs of the North Carolina Community College System and to help provide scholarships to students in need.
“The Foundation supports the programs of the North Carolina Community College System, and the gift is to endow scholarships,” said Hank Dunbar with First Citizens Bank, during an interview in 2021. “First Citizens Bank and the Robert P. Holding Foundation are proud of the relationship they have with many of the North Carolina Community Colleges…The Foundation sees this gift as the token of appreciation for all that the North Carolina Community Colleges do to promote the education and welfare of the people of North Carolina.”
In keeping with its mission, Robeson Community College offers over 80 programs of study that provide opportunities for academic, technical, and life-long learning in a collaborative culture dedicated to inquiry, results, and excellence, allowing students an opportunity to receive a quality education which provides the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve their dreams.
“It is because of organizations like the Robert P. Holding Foundation, that see the value of what Robeson Community College does in educating and training students, that we are able to provide scholarships which allow us to build the workforce of tomorrow, today,” said Singler. “This gift will help transform lives and change the trajectory of families throughout Robeson County and beyond, as we train students in high demand fields for the job sector. We are so honored to have the continued support of the Robert P. Holding Foundation and First Citizens Bank.”
