2023 Monthly Newsletters
January 2023
Happy New Year!
The past year certainly proved to be an inspiring one. Thanks to you, the Monroe Community College Foundation provided almost 800 scholarships to hardworking MCC students, including 16 new scholarships, helping them close the gap between their available resources and the cost of tuition.
Under the leadership of MCC President DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna, we see the efforts our students make every day and our community sees the results. These include the $737.3 million added in annual income to Monroe County from the MCC-educated workforce or the 93 percent of MCC career program graduates retained as employees in our regions. And it includes the increase in the average student’s earnings and income by $4.40 for every $1.00 the MCC student invests in their education with us.
We are grateful that so many of you continued to include the Monroe Community College Foundation in your philanthropic giving plans, allowing us to provide our students with the resources they need to be successful.
Thank you for all that you do to support our students in their quest to succeed through your gifts to the Foundation. Our best to you for a happy and healthy 2023.
First Generation College Student Is Up for the Challenge
Tylynn Davidson is the 2022 recipient of the Max and Marian Farash Foundation First in Family Scholarship. She was born and raised in Rochester by her mother who instilled a strong work ethic. Tylynn is the oldest of five children, and her mother ensured she was given the best opportunities and exposure to everything life offers. She graduated from World of Inquiry in the Rochester City School District with an Advanced Regents Diploma. She also was on the volleyball team and played flute in the band. In her spare time, she started her own small business selling self-defense key chains and worked at Wegmans.
Tylynn is the first member of her family to attend college. She chose to stay in state and attend Monroe Community College to be a role model to her younger siblings. She was ecstatic when she received the Farash Foundation First in Family Scholarship. “It is a true blessing,” says Tylynn of the scholarship. “Knowing that my mom can focus on the needs of my younger siblings is the greatest gift I could give her.”
The First in Family Scholarship covers all qualifying educational expenses for students who are the first person in their family to attend college. This includes tuition, books, fees, supplies, meals, and housing; recipients are required to live on campus. The Farash Foundation also provides mentoring and other support and regularly convenes all of its Farash Scholars for enrichment activities. Upon graduation from MCC, Farash Scholars may continue to receive their scholarship if they transfer to a Rochester-area four-year university. Tylynn is part of the 11th cohort of Farash First in Family Scholars.
Tylynn is majoring in biology with the goal of being a pharmacist. She is humble about her accomplishments; she made the Dean's List her first semester and registered for two extensive courses during the winter intersession.
After she completes her associate's degree, Tylynn plans to transfer to St. John Fisher University to earn bachelor and doctoral degrees in pharmacy. “MCC and the Farash Foundation First in Family Scholarship made the start of my journey possible. I am forever grateful.”
To support first generation college students like Tylynn, visit our Donate Now page.
Your Year-End Giving Statement
While we have sent individual receipts for your gifts as they were made, we also offer to make the tax preparation process a bit easier by supplying you with a Year-End Giving Statement. If you are interested in having a statement prepared, please contact Lisa Fluman at the MCC Foundation office (lfluman@monroecc.edu) and we will be happy to do so. Thank you again for your generous support!
February 2023
MEN OF EXCELLENCE INSPIRES STUDENTS TO LEAD INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
Monroe Community College champions Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and creates opportunities for students to engage in leadership development in an effort to further their understanding of each other. The Men of Excellence and Women of Excellence programs were created to academically, professionally, and socially support students of color by providing coaching and leadership development opportunities through collaborative initiatives. Funded, in part, through the generosity of Monroe Community College Foundation board members Jack Cannon (Cannon Industries and Burnett Process) and David Cornell ’73 (Cornell/Weinstein Family Foundation), participating students work with a team of campus leaders to build strong connections with the MCC and Rochester communities and receive one-on-one coaching/mentoring from a faculty or staff member. Students also are eligible for the Men of Excellence or Women of Excellence Scholarships.
Casan Curry (pictured above), who graduated from MCC in December with an A.S. degree in Liberal Arts, remains actively involved in Men of Excellence. He delayed enrolling at MCC until spring 2020 after a tragic accident took the lives of several family members, including his mother and sister, in July 2019. A recipient of the Urban League Black Scholarship in memory of Annette Rouse, Casan made the Dean’s List in his final semester. He also was the student speaker for MCC’s 2023 Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.
Casan is pursuing a career in architecture and plans to transfer to either Alfred State College or the University of Buffalo for the upcoming fall semester. While at MCC, he also participated in the Architecture, Construction and Engineering Mentoring Program and a trades program through the Associated Builders and Contractors Empire State Chapter. Outside of school, Casan is an assistant instructor for youth TaeKwanDo.
To support students like Casan and valuable programs like Men of Excellence and Women of Excellence, visit our donate now page.
CASE SURVEY RESULTS
Results from the 65th annual report on findings from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s (CASE) Voluntary Support of Education (VSE) survey, the definitive source of data that measure the level of philanthropic support for nonprofit and public higher education institutions in the United States, have been released.
Thanks to our incredible donors, we’re thrilled to report that the Monroe Community College Foundation increased its total support by 67% in 2022, to $8,364,713. Not only did the MCC Foundation rank the highest in total support, compared with all other SUNY community colleges reporting in 2022, but the MCC Foundation also scored #1 in unrestricted and restricted support.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 39TH ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP OPEN PRESENTED BY TOYOTA
The 39th Annual Scholarship Open will be held at The Country Club of Rochester on Monday, June 26, 2023. This is a sell-out event so do not delay in registering! Tournament Co-Chairs Gavin Brownlie and Ed Schuler ’81, along with the Scholarship Open Committee, are planning an excellent day of golf in support of hardworking students at Monroe Community College.
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, visit our Scholarship Open page. As always, thank you for your support of students at MCC!
MARCH 2023
GENE HAAS SCHOLARSHIP INSPIRES TOOLING & MACHINING STUDENTS
Earlier this month, Monroe Community College Tooling and Machining (TAM) students Mike Kiba and Dan Neri were recognized as this year’s recipients of the Gene Haas Scholarship. This scholarship is funded through generous annual grants from the Gene Haas Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Haas Automation, which produces machinery and equipment used in advanced manufacturing. Students in several MCC programs are trained on Haas machines prior to entering the workforce.
Dan is a returning adult student who hopes to combine new training in precision machining with his previous experience in information technology for a new career as a machinist. After experiencing pandemic-related setbacks, Mike enrolled at MCC to pursue a career as a computer numerical control (CNC) programmer. Both students are grateful for the Gene Haas Foundation’s investment in their education. They are pictured with TAM Instructors Vincent Stadler and Joel Eisele and local Haas Factory Outlet representative Aaron Drum.
HONOR A REMARKABLE MOM WITH A GIFT TO STAR POWER
Looking for a unique gift for Mother’s Day? Join the STAR Power Women’s Giving Initiative and make a gift in honor of a remarkable mom in your life.
Over the years, the STAR Power Scholarship has eased the financial burden of juggling school, work, and family for more than 50 single student parents at Monroe Community College. Your support makes a difference as they strive to create a better life for themselves and their families.
All honorees will receive a special Mother’s Day card from the Monroe Community College Foundation. Make your Mother’s Day gift to STAR Power today!
15TH ANNUAL SCHOLARS' DAY PRESENTED BY THE ESL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Scholars’ Day at Monroe Community College is an event dedicated to showcasing the work of student and faculty researchers. Award-winning Black non-binary writer, author, and activist George M. Johnson (pictured left) will deliver MCC’s Scholars’ Day keynote address. Presented by the ESL Charitable Foundation, Johnson’s keynote presentation will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 in the Robin and Tim Wentworth Arts Building, 1000 East Henrietta Road, Rochester.
George speaks on the importance of sharing our diverse stories and inspires readers worldwide to be themselves unapologetically. By listening to one another and understanding the history, language, and actions necessary to change the world, we can form a community where we are all free to be our true, authentic selves. George’s books include We Are Not Broken and All Boys Aren't Blue.
This event is made possible by the generosity of the ESL Charitable Foundation, the William & Sheila Konar Foundation and Dr. Barbara Lovenheim, chair, 2023 Scholars' Day.
SECURE YOUR LEGACY WHILE ENRICHING OTHERS' LIVES
One of the simplest ways to honor the legacy of yourself or a loved one is to name the Monroe Community College Foundation as a beneficiary of a portion of your estate. Simply include a bequest provision in your will and the MCC Foundation will receive it when your estate is settled.
Donors who notify the MCC Foundation of their bequest intention become members of the Alice Holloway Young Society, which recognizes individuals who have advised the MCC Foundation of their intent to benefit the college through a planned gift and is named for Founding Trustee and Board Chair Emerita Alice Holloway Young Ed.D.
For more information on making a planned gift through a retirement account, or for suggested bequest intention language for your will, please email the MCC Foundation (mccf@monroecc.edu).
Baseball Fundraiser
The Monroe Community College Foundation and Monroe Community College Athletics are partnering to raise funds to support our baseball team, led by Coach David Brust, as they head toward regional and national competitions. Funds raised will help ensure that the team is well-prepared to finish the 2022-23 season on top and help enrich the college experience for our student athletes.
Thank you for supporting our Tribunes!
April 2023
PATHWAYS TO MCC INSPIRES STUDENTS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM
One of the many ways that the ESL Charitable Foundation invests in Monroe Community College students is through the Pathways to MCC program. Part of a $4 million “Inspiring Start and Finish Strong” grant awarded to the Monroe Community College Foundation in 2019, Pathways to MCC provides scholarships to students without a high school diploma so they can earn 24 MCC credits, their New York State High School Equivalency Diploma, and a pathway to high demand, living wage jobs.
Sage Garcia ’23 will graduate this spring with a degree in Liberal Arts after first completing the Pathways to MCC program. Sage dropped out of high school at age 16 and learned about the Pathways program after moving to Rochester. Sage has flourished at MCC in their classes as well as on the Swimming and Diving team. Their leadership on the Swimming team led MCC to the Spyke Johnson Championship award at this year’s NJCAA Swimming & Diving Championships. Following graduation, Sage will transfer to SUNY Oswego to complete dual degrees in studio art and psychology in pursuit of a career as an arts therapist.
HONOR A REMARKABLE MOTHER WITH A GIFT TO STAR POWER
It’s not too late to honor a remarkable woman with a gift to the STAR Power Women’s Giving Initiative. Your support directly benefits single student-parents as they pursue their educational and career goals at Monroe Community College. In fact, 90 percent of STAR Power Scholarship recipients have graduated or remain enrolled at MCC.
Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 14. All honorees will receive a special Mother’s Day card from the Monroe Community College Foundation. Make your Mother’s Day gift to STAR Power today!
15TH ANNUAL SCHOLARS’ DAY PRESENTED BY THE ESL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
There is still time to register for the 15th Annual Scholars' Day presented by the ESL Charitable Foundation! This year’s visiting scholar and keynote speaker is George Johnson. Johnson is an award-winning Black non-binary writer, author, and activist.
In this talk, George will speak on the importance of sharing diverse stories: why we should remain resilient, how representation in media can support young adults’ mental and physical health, and what we can do to support these voices. By listening to one another and understanding the history, language, and actions necessary to change the world, we can form a community where we are all free to be our true, authentic selves.
Date: Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Robin and Tim Wentworth Arts Building, 1000 East Henrietta Road, Rochester.
This event is made possible by the generosity of the ESL Charitable Foundation, the William & Sheila Konar Foundation and Dr. Barbara Lovenheim, chair, 2023 Scholars' Day.
MAKE YOUR GIFT TO THE ANNUAL FUND TODAY
Gifts to the annual campaign create scholarships and fund emergency need programs that have been vital to the success of our students. Your gift to the Annual Fund for Monroe Community College will help students receive the support they need to focus on their studies and reach their educational and career goals.
Your gift can help us inspire the way forward for our students. Visit our donate now page or call the Monroe Community College Foundation at 585.685.6020 to make your gift.
May 2023
INSPIRE THE WAY FORWARD FOR MCC STUDENTS
A U.S. Army veteran and single father, Christopher P. Fox (pictured left) was injured while on deployment in Iraq. He lives with a traumatic brain injury and severe post-traumatic stress disorder. Chris shared that going back to college as an adult was not easy, but knew that earning a degree had the potential to change his life for the better.
Through the guidance of professors at Monroe Community College, Chris found the support that he needed to be successful. He was directed to the Monroe Community College Foundation where he discovered the numerous scholarships that are available thanks to the generosity of caring donors. Chris received eight scholarships during his time at MCC which helped immensely with his tuition and other related expenses. This support took the pressure off of Chris so that he could study while also caring for his family.
Chris earned an associate degree with distinction in criminal justice and an advanced studies certificate from MCC in December 2022. He is now attending St. John Fisher University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in legal studies. He aspires to become an attorney and fight for legislation that adequately protects people.
Your generosity helps students like Chris, pursue their goals and achieve great success. With help from the generosity of donors to the MCC Foundation, Chris has changed the trajectory of his life.
To inspire the way forward and impact future student success at MCC, we invite you to make a gift to the Annual Fund for Monroe Community College today!
GOLD STAR GALA GUESTS RAISE $300,000 FOR MCC STUDENTS
The Monroe Community College Foundation's 25th Annual Gold Star Gala presented by M&T Bank was held on April 29 at The Country Club of Rochester. Wonka’s Garden was filled with fun, but the mission was quite serious: to raise funds in support of Monroe Community College and to provide scholarships for deserving students. Thanks to our community’s generosity, $300,000 (net) was raised in support of MCC students to fund public higher education for Greater Rochester.
MCC student speaker Rebecca Kay Wilkoff (pictured below), an Optical Systems Technology major and scholarship recipient, shone during our scholarship call that evening. Special thanks to our Honorary Chairs John and Barbara Bruning and Elizabeth and Jim ’71 Sydor, as well as our Committee Chairs Deborah C. Stamps, Ed.D., RN, ’97 and Abby Reinhard. Also, a deeply heartfelt thank you to our Auction Advocates Robin ’80 and Tim ’80 Wentworth, our evening’s emcee Doug Emblidge, and our Gala committee for their dedication, creativity, and resourcefulness in making this year's gala one to remember!
LAST CHANCE TO NOMINATE SOMEONE YOU KNOW FOR THE MCC ALUMNI HALL OF FAME
Do you know outstanding Monroe Community College alumni? Nominate them for the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame by June 1!
Each year the Alumni Hall of Fame Committee of the Monroe Community College Foundation considers nominees to the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame and selects up to four new inductees. Created in 1992, the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame recognizes those alumni who have achieved outstanding success and made a lasting impact on their community. Help us identify the next class of inductees; nominate an MCC alum today!
Need inspiration? Take a look at our MCC Alumni Hall of Fame members.
A GIFT TO THE MCC FOUNDATION THAT PAYS YOU AN INCOME!
There’s a way for you to support Monroe Community College students and feel confident that you have dependable income in your retirement years. You can do this with a charitable gift annuity.
Establishing a charitable gift annuity allows you to provide a gift to the MCC area of your choosing while also receiving fixed payments for life. And with the recent rise in interest rates, the payout rates are very attractive. You can also qualify for a variety of tax benefits depending on how you fund your gift. You may be eligible for a significant tax deduction and you could be eligible to use IRA assets. The Monroe Community College Foundation always encourages you to consult with your tax advisor before engaging in any transaction.
After making a lifetime of payments to you, the MCC Foundation designates the remaining funds to the area of your choice. That means if you give $10,000 today, the MCC Foundation will pay you every year for life and then designate the residual value to the area of MCC you are most passionate about—such as Nursing, the area of greatest need, scholarships, Athletics and more…
For more information on charitable gift annuities, current payout rates and to request a proposal personalized for you, please contact Mark Pastorella ’90, associate vice president, development (mpastorella@monroecc.edu). Thank you for your support of the MCC Foundation!
June 2023
MCC SELECTED FOR NATIONAL FINANCIAL COACHING PROGRAM AIMED AT CLOSING THE RACIAL WEALTH GAP
Monroe Community College and the Monroe Community College Foundation are partnering with the National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE) to develop and launch a financial coaching program to improve students’ financial health and increase their graduation rates. The MCC Foundation will receive a grant of $138,000 over 18 months to support this innovative initiative.
Utilizing the Money Smart Financial Coaching Program launched by SUNY Westchester Community College in 2014, NCWE will provide MCC with individualized coaching and technical assistance; training, guidance and support needed to hire staff; and assistance in building a successful, sustainable program. The NCWE team will assist MCC in developing a long-term business plan to embed financial wellness into its strategic and budget plans, to support the sustainability of the initiative.
MCC was chosen through a competitive process based on the college’s capacity for innovation, staff knowledge, and commitment to student success. The initial target group for the Money Smart Financial Coaching Program will be students living in the residence halls. The program will deliver one-on-one coaching to educate and empower students; offer clear, timely, and customized information to inform student borrowers; and provide emergency support for students in crisis. This model will help students take control of their financial well-being and empower them to take control of their financial future while completing their education at Monroe Community College.
Learn more about the Money Smart Financial Coaching Program.
FISHER ASSOCIATES INSPIRES THE WAY FORWARD FOR STUDENT SUCCESS AT MCC
Fisher Associates seeks to strengthen our community by providing scholarship support for deserving students aspiring for a career in engineering. This year’s scholarship recipient, Diane Dang ’23, had the opportunity to meet with senior leadership at Fisher Associates recently. (Pictured from left to right: Sherry Rettew, Diane Dang ’23, and Roseann Schmid)
Diane graduated from Monroe Community College in May with an A.S. in Engineering Science-Civil and will transfer to the University of Buffalo to continue her education. Diane has an interest in civil engineering and environmental engineering with a special interest in being a part of the movement to provide sustainable solutions in the building sector.
Thanks to the generosity of Fisher Associates, Diane is well on her way to achieving great success! The Monroe Community College Foundation is thankful for all that Fisher Associates has done to inspire the way forward and support student success at MCC!
To learn more about how you can support students at MCC or to make a gift, visit our ways to give page.
SCHOLARSHIP OPEN GOLFERS RAISE OVER $123,000 FOR MCC STUDENTS
The Monroe Community College Foundation's 39th Annual Scholarship Open was held on June 26 at The Country Club of Rochester. The day was filled with fun, but the mission was quite serious: to raise funds in support of Monroe Community College and to provide scholarships for deserving students like Salvatore Zisa '24, Mark McKnight '24, and Corrin Lawson '24 (pictured from left to right with Jay Vanderstyne). Thanks to our community’s generosity, over $123,000 (net) was raised in support of MCC students to fund public higher education for Greater Rochester.
It was perfect golf weather for most of the day and even when the rain came, spirits remained high! Our first-place winner for low net was Weckesser Brick Co. Our first-place winner for low gross was Mike Sutton and John Loury with Cause + Effect Strategy, Greg LaDuca with Visit Rochester, and Kevin Williams with Kodak.
Special thanks to our committee co-chairs Gavin Brownlie and Ed Schuler ’81. Also, a deeply heartfelt thank you to our Scholarship Open committee for their dedication and resourcefulness in making this year's golf tournament one to remember!
A huge thank you to our generous underwriters:
Platinum
Toyota Motor Sales, North America
Gold
M/E Engineering, P.C.
Silver
M&T Bank
DiMarco Group
Bronze
Bergmann
Crosby-Brownlie, Inc.
Dolomite Group
July 2023
Community Investment Brings Smiles to Kids at MCC’s Be a Healthy Hero Summer Camp
Hundreds of kids in Grades K-5 descended upon Monroe Community College’s Brighton Campus over the last five weeks for the Be a Healthy Hero Summer Camp. Under the leadership of long-time Camp Director Liz Kelly Ed.D., a seasoned staff of classroom educators, camp counselors, and youth volunteers provided campers with academic enrichment, sports and games, swim lessons, leadership development, and more. Campers also received healthy breakfast, lunch, and snacks daily and transportation was provided to and from campus from various points in the City of Rochester.
One of the largest summer programs available for Rochester’s kids, the Healthy Hero Camp provides families with access to a fun, safe, and productive experience that balances fitness activities with reinforcement of key literacy and math skills to help prevent summer learning loss. The Camp would not be possible without private philanthropic support from the ESL Charitable Foundation, Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation, Glover Crask Charitable Trust, Max and Marian Farash Foundation, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Legacy Fund for Youth Sports at the Rochester Area Community Foundation, United Way of Greater Rochester and the Finger Lakes, and William and Sheila Konar Foundation. Make a gift to the Be a Healthy Hero Summer Camp by visiting our Donate Now page.
Last Chance to Add Your Name to the Annual Fund Honor Roll of Donors
If you have not made your annual gift to help make a Monroe Community College education accessible to everyone, we want to be sure that you have one more opportunity to do so. By supporting the Annual Fund for Monroe Community College, you have the power to create life-changing opportunities for students at MCC. Your generosity inspires the way forward.
Time is running out, but you still have a chance to make a difference! We can add your name to our Annual Fund Honor Roll of Donors if we receive your gift or pledge by August 20. Making your gift is simple when you visit our donate now page. Your support is greatly appreciated and will provide scholarships and grants to hundreds of students. Thank you for your generosity!
Save the Date! 32nd Annual Salute to Excellence
The Salute to Excellence is a special celebration of community leadership and philanthropy in support of Monroe Community College. We hope you are saving the date for the 32nd Annual Salute to Excellence with this year’s Honorary Chairs Erin and Truman Tolfree.
On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, we will gather to celebrate the spirit of philanthropy and the accomplishments of leaders in our community at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center beginning at 5:30 p.m. In addition to the annual MCC Alumni Hall of Fame inductions, we are honored to present this year's Salute to Excellence Award to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation in recognition of their remarkable investments in workforce development opportunities at MCC.
Register now for the 32nd Annual Salute to Excellence.
Opportunities for underwriting support are available. Please email Karen Shaw, assistant director of development at the Monroe Community College Foundation (kshaw@monroecc.edu) or call (585) 685-6020 for more information.
The generosity of our donors allows hundreds of students to receive the financial support they deserve to achieve their educational and career goals at MCC. Thank you!
August 2023
ESL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INVESTS IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AT MCC
Over the last two years, more than 100 students have benefited from a generous $423,000 grant from the ESL Charitable Foundation to bolster enrollment and completion of accelerated training options for in-demand career pathways. Students enrolled in a variety of programs, including welding, CNC/advanced manufacturing, precision machining, and healthcare, have received training assistance in the form of scholarships, help with books, and other support services. They also have had access to employability skills training to prepare them with skills needed to succeed in the workplace. With support from the grant, Monroe Community College launched a pilot project this month to provide training to individuals who have English as their second language. The goal is to assist refugees, immigrants, and others who have English as their second language in learning the basic English skills needed to be successful in in-demand training programs as well as employment in these fields. Thank you to ESL for investing in MCC and in the Rochester community!
SAVE THE DATE AND REGISTER NOW FOR MCC'S 17TH ANNUAL 5K WALK/RUN FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
Join us on Saturday, September 30, and help raise scholarship support for Monroe Community College students. Hosted by the Monroe Community College Foundation, the USATF certified 3.1 mile, family-friendly walk/run is open to the College community and general public. The 5K will be held in-person at MCC's Brighton Campus. Participants also have the option of participating virtually.
Help us reach our $20,000 goal by registering to participate or by making a donation to support MCC students. We hope you will join us and make 2023 a success by helping students take that all-important first step: enrolling at MCC and moving closer to crossing the finish line to graduation!
Register for the 5K, form a team, or make a donation. Questions? Call 585.685.6020. Thank you for your support!
LAST CHANCE TO SUPPORT THE ANNUAL CAMPAIGN
When you support the Annual Fund for Monroe Community College, you create life-changing opportunities and inspire the way forward for MCC students. Students like Rebecca (Kay) Wilkoff ’23, an Optical Systems Technology major who received scholarship support, are able to work toward their dreams, thanks to your support.
If you have not made your annual gift to help make an MCC education accessible to everyone, there is still time to add your name to our 2022-2023 Honor Roll of Donors when you make your gift or pledge by August 31.
Gifts to the Annual Fund create scholarships and fund enrichment programs that encourage lifelong learning. Please consider helping students like Kay complete their degree or certificate programs with your gift to the Monroe Community College Foundation. Donate Now to the Annual Fund or Complete the Pledge Support Form. Thank you for your generosity.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 32ND ANNUAL SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE
On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, the Monroe Community College Foundation will host the 32nd Annual Salute to Excellence at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center.
We are honored to present this year's Salute to Excellence Award to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and we will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Monroe Community College Foundation. We will also induct four alumni into the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame. This year’s outstanding inductees are:
- Angelica Perez-Delgado ’97, President and CEO, Ibero-American Action League
- Joseph M. Rizzo ’79, Manager, Economic Development, NYSEG and RG&E
- Patricia F. Soltys ’72, Commissioner, Public Service Water District, Hilton Head, SC and Entrepreneur
- Alyssa Whitfield ’90, Founder and CEO, Dress for Success Rochester and The Whitfield Collective LLC
To make your reservation or for more information, please visit our Salute to Excellence webpage. Opportunities for underwriting support are available. Please email Karen Shaw, assistant director of development at the Monroe Community College Foundation (kshaw@monroecc.edu) or call 585.685.6020 for more information.
DID YOU KNOW AUGUST IS NATIONAL MAKE-A-WILL MONTH?
With a legal will, you can approach the future with peace of mind by having a plan that communicates your wishes, provides for your loved ones, and sustains the causes you believe in. The Monroe Community College Foundation has partnered with FreeWill to make it easier than ever to start your will and make your most important plan for the future.
Create your own FreeWill today.
If you have already included a gift to the MCC Foundation in your will, please fill out this FreeWill form to let us know about your intentions.
Would you like to discuss a bequest intention or other legacy giving? Contact Christyn Sanagursky, Director of Development, (csanagursky@monroecc.edu) or (585) 685-6148.
The information here is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be construed as providing legal or tax advice.
September 2023
MEET THE MCC ALUMNI HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2023
On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, the Monroe Community College Foundation will host the 32nd Annual Salute to Excellence at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center.
At the event we will present the Salute to Excellence Award to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and we will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Monroe Community College Foundation. In addition, we are honored to induct four alumni into the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame.
The members of the Class of 2023 are:
- Angelica Perez-Delgado ’97, president and CEO, Ibero-American Action League, Inc.
- Joseph M. Rizzo ’79, manager, Economic Development, NYSEG and RG&E
- Patricia Flynn Soltys ’72, commissioner, Public Service Water District, Hilton Head, SC and entrepreneur
- Alyssa Whitfield ’90, founder and CEO, Dress for Success Rochester and The Whitfield Collective LLC
This month we are proud to feature MCC alumna Angelica (Angie) Perez-Delgado (pictured above) who was named the seventh President and CEO in the 50-year history of the Ibero American Action League. Angie had previously worked at the Villa of Hope, where she served as Chief Administrative Officer/Chief Compliance Officer. She has over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and began her career as a substance abuse therapist before transitioning into administration in the last decade. Angie describes herself as one of the “lucky ones” from Rochester’s North Clinton neighborhood. Even though she experienced poverty, trauma and dropped out of high school, she was able to turn her life around through the services she leads today. Her personal experience of our failed systems as a young teenage mother prepared Angie for her return to her roots and her current position at the Ibero-American Action League.
Upon graduation from MCC, Angie earned both a bachelor of science in Community and Human Services from Empire State College and a master of science in Health Administration from Roberts Wesleyan College as well as an advanced certificate in Theology, Scripture and Ministry from Northeastern Seminary. Angie is a very active grassroots Latino community organizer in the Northeast part of the city of Rochester and participates in various advisory groups and boards throughout the community. In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends as well as riding motorcycles with her motorcycle club.
To make your reservation or for more information, visit our Salute to Excellence webpage. Opportunities for underwriting support are available. Questions? Please contact Karen Shaw, assistant director of development, at the Monroe Community College Foundation, at (585) 685-6020 or by email Karen Shaw (kshaw@monroecc.edu).
17TH ANNUAL 5K WALK/RUN FOR SCHOLARSHIPS ON SEPTEMBER 30
Walk or run in our annual 5K to help raise scholarship dollars and support for MCC students. Registered students may enter to win $5,000 in scholarships to be awarded at the conclusion of the 5K! Join alumni, donors, faculty, students, retirees and friends as we celebrate MCC's impact on Greater Rochester and highlight how MCC Foundation scholarships are vital to our community. With your support, MCC students are able to earn degrees and certificates that move them, and our community, forward.
- Saturday, September 30, 10 a.m. start
- Scholarship drawing following the 5K at the tailgate party
Walk-in registrations are accepted the morning of the 5K. The walk-in registration fee is $30. Donations are always welcome!
Help us reach our $20,000 goal. Your registration includes a commemorative T-shirt, lunch and activities for all. Awards and medals for first-place finishers.
NYS CHARITABLE TAX CREDIT PROGRAM AVAILABLE THROUGH SEPTEMBER 29
There’s still time to support MCC students this year through the New York State Charitable Tax Credit Program offered by the SUNY Impact Foundation. The deadline to submit an application is September 29.
Key Program Components:
- Qualified contributions to the SUNY Impact Foundation could receive an 85% NYS income tax credit. Consult your tax advisor to ensure the program is right for you.
- 98% of your gift to the SUNY Impact Foundation can be designated to the Monroe Community College Foundation.
- The minimum gift amount for this program is $10,000 and the maximum is $100,000.
- The SUNY Impact Foundation has allocated $10 million for this program. If the total amount of gift requests exceeds the budget on October 1, donor applications will be approved for a prorated portion of their gift.
Important dates:
- September 29: program application deadline.
- Early October: donors notified of the gift amount approved for the program.
- November 30: deadline to fulfill gift to the SUNY Impact Foundation.
If you are interested in learning more, contact Gretchen Wood at 585.685.6334 or Mark Pastorella at 585.685.6317. They are more than happy to answer your questions and help you begin the process of enrolling in the program.
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Thank you for your continued support!
October 2023
MAKE YOUR RESERVATION FOR THE SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE
On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, the Monroe Community College Foundation will host the 32nd Annual Salute to Excellence at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center.
At the event we will present the Salute to Excellence Award to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and we will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Monroe Community College Foundation. In addition, we are honored to induct four alumni into the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame.
The members of the Class of 2023 are:
- Angelica Perez-Delgado ’97, president and CEO, Ibero-American Action League, Inc.
- Joseph M. Rizzo ’79, manager, Economic Development, NYSEG and RG&E
- Patricia Flynn Soltys ’72, commissioner, Public Service Water District, Hilton Head, SC and entrepreneur
- Alyssa Whitfield ’90, founder and CEO, Dress for Success Rochester and The Whitfield Collective, LLC
This month we are proud to feature MCC alumna Alyssa Whitfield (pictured above) a dynamic and motivational leader who has dedicated her career to making a lasting impact on the local community.
Alyssa’s career in the nonprofit sector spans nearly two decades, serving in leadership positions at the Youth Lifeline Foundation, Encompass and The American Red Cross before founding Dress for Success Rochester in 2015, with the mission of helping unemployed and underemployed women achieve economic independence. Since opening, the organization has helped more than 1,000 women along their career journeys.
Alyssa describes her Monroe Community College experience as transformative. “The opportunities I was able to explore during my time at MCC were instrumental in my academic and personal growth. The supportive and encouraging atmosphere instilled in me a strong sense of self-confidence and resilience. I learned to navigate challenges and persevere through difficult moments, which has been invaluable in my journey beyond college,” she said.
In 2006, Essence Magazine and Maybelline New York recognized Alyssa for her work in the region, winning the $10,000 Empowerment through Education award. Known for strutting down the city’s sidewalks as if it was her runway, Alyssa was also recognized as “One of the 10 Most Stylish Rochesterians” by Rochester Magazine.
Alyssa currently serves as a board member for the Rochester Area Community Foundation, a member of the Harbor Area (CA) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, and the board president for You Can’t Fail, Inc.
To make your reservation or for more information, visit our Salute to Excellence webpage. Opportunities for underwriting support are available. Questions? Please contact Karen Shaw, assistant director of development, at the Monroe Community College Foundation, at (585) 685-6020 or by email Karen Shaw (kshaw@monroecc.edu).
YOUR GIFT TO THE ANNUAL FUND FOR MONROE COMMUNITY COLLEGE HELPS STUDENT LEADERS ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS
Monroe Community College provides an abundant array of opportunities for students to get involved on campus and around the community through various clubs, organizations, and leadership opportunities. At MCC, student leaders are able to enhance their resumes and increase their marketability to transfer to a four-year college or enter the workforce. Scholarship support for student leaders helps them be successful on their journeys.
The Sara Furguson Endowed Scholarship is one of the scholarships available to student leaders. This scholarship was established as a permanent and everlasting tribute to Sara Furguson ’08, a previous student leader and MCC graduate. In 2008, Sara became a member of Phi Theta Kappa, MCC’s two-year honor society, and then a student leader in Alpha Theta Iota.
Sara loved to learn and didn’t want to be treated any differently than her team members. You see, Sara was paralyzed from the neck down in a tragic car accident. She lived her life remarkably, creating hope from challenging experiences. Sara’s courage and determination created a very strong bond with her team members.
Alumna Shanon Gibson ’08 writes: "I had the privilege of working with Sara as an officer in Phi Theta Kappa at MCC. Sara taught me about perseverance and following my dreams. Sara never let her physical challenges stop her from the learning she craved. I think of Sara often, especially when facing my own career change. Sara's determination and positive attitude to achieve the most in life inspired me and should inspire MCC students for years to come."
When Sara was an officer, she honed her leadership skills and created the chapter’s first newsletter and presented leadership workshops at NY regional conferences. Sara earned her Associate of Science at MCC and went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science from Cornell and a Juris Doctor from the University of Buffalo.
Sara credited MCC with helping her begin her academic and leadership journey, and her wish was to give back to MCC. She wanted students to pursue their true passion and never question whether something is achievable.
Your gift to the Annual Fund for Monroe Community College can help student leaders like Sara reach their full potential and build bright futures.
5K PARTICIPANTS RAISE OVER $20,000 FOR MCC STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
Monroe Community College’s 17th Annual 5K Walk/Run for Scholarships was a huge success! Thank you to all of our participants and our donors for helping to raise over $20,000 on Homecoming Day! We had over 400 participants and presented $5,000 in scholarships to MCC students.
Homecoming Day was extra special this year not only with the 5K, lunch and the tailgate party, but also with activities organized for the Fall Fest including large-scale inflatables, henna tattoo artists, face painting, tarot card reading, custom street sign creations and more.
While the 5K is over, our fundraising is not! We are currently accepting donations in support of the event, a favorite participant or team. Donations can be made on our 5K website.
Make sure to save the date for our 18th Annual 5K Walk/Run for Scholarships that will take place October 5, 2024!
ARE YOU READY TO ROC THE DAY FOR MCC?
Tuesday, November 28, is a day all about giving back. Will you show your MCC pride during ROC the Day’s 24-hour online giving drive? MCC Foundation directors and ROC the Day for MCC co-chairs Gavin Brownlie and Ian Wilson sure hope you will!
Your support fuels student success and breaks down the financial barriers that may prevent students from earning their degrees or certificates. We hope you will rise to the challenge on Tuesday, November 28, and ROC the Day for MCC students!
HONOR SOMEONE SPECIAL
With the holiday season approaching, now is the time to think about giving thanks.
Consider making a gift to honor someone in your life or commemorate a special occasion. Tribute gifts are a thoughtful way to show your appreciation and demonstrate how much that special person means to you. Share your belief in public higher education by giving a gift in their honor.
When you make an honorary gift through the Monroe Community College Foundation, your honoree receives a special card acknowledging your donation. Make your honorary gift online.
November 2023
LAST CHANCE TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATION FOR THE SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE
On Wednesday, December 6, 2023, the Monroe Community College Foundation will host the 32nd Annual Salute to Excellence at the Floreano Convention Center, where we will present the Salute to Excellence Award to the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Monroe Community College Foundation. In addition, we are honored to induct four alumni into the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame.
The members of the Class of 2023 are:
- Angelica Perez-Delgado ’97, president and CEO, Ibero-American Action League, Inc.
- Joseph M. Rizzo ’79, manager, Economic Development, NYSEG and RG&E
- Patricia Flynn Soltys ’72, commissioner, Public Service Water District, Hilton Head, SC and entrepreneur
- Alyssa Whitfield ’90, founder and CEO, Dress for Success Rochester and The Whitfield Collective, LLC
This month we are proud to feature MCC alumni Patricia Flynn Soltys and Joseph Rizzo (pictured above). Both are dynamic and motivational leaders who have dedicated their careers and personal commitments to making a lasting impact on the local community.
Patricia Soltys was hired by Eastman Kodak Company before graduating from MCC, taking a position in human resources. While working for Kodak, she was promoted into various management positions including a key position in Washington, D.C. all the while earning a bachelor of science degree in Psychology and Business Administration at the University of Rochester and an M.B.A. through the Executive Development Program of the Simon School.
After the move to Washington D.C., Patti left Kodak to establish her own management consulting business, PARS Consulting, Inc. Patti and her husband Bob then moved to Hilton Head Island where they currently reside.
Patti has supported numerous organizations through her work as a volunteer. She has served on several boards, most notably what was then Alternatives for Battered Women and Ibero-American Action League. As a two- time cancer survivor, she has counselled women and their families dealing with the traumas around living with cancer. Patti gives back to her alma mater by supporting current MCC students through the Patricia Flynn Soltys Endowed Scholarship which she established in 2006 to provide incoming freshman with financial aid to help prepare them for their desired career in manufacturing, technology or business.
Joseph Rizzo began his formal education at MCC, earning an associate degree in Engineering Science. He continued his education by attending the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he received a mechanical engineering science degree and was a graduate of their Advanced Management Program.
Joe’s primary responsibilities include management and implementation of various programs for NYSEG and RG&E, which are subsidiaries of AVANGRID, Inc. These programs include grant assistance; support for productivity and efficiency improvements for manufacturers; assistance for start-up companies/entrepreneurs; and revitalization of main streets and business corridors.
Since 2010, through Joe’s leadership, NYSEG and RG&E have provided over $125 million in economic development assistance to support over 1,100 projects leveraging over $6.5 billion in private sector and capital investments.
To make your reservation or for more information, visit our Salute to Excellence webpage. Questions? Please contact Karen Shaw, assistant director of development, at the Monroe Community College Foundation, at 585.685.6020 or by email Karen Shaw (kshaw@monroecc.edu).
MAKE YOUR GIFT TO THE ANNUAL FUND BY YEAR-END
With the year beginning to wind down, now is the perfect time to make your year-end gift to the Annual Fund for Monroe Community College. Your gift empowers innovation and will help to build the world of tomorrow. Make your gift by December 31 to take advantage of the tax benefits in 2023.
Students like Denaresh Marie Quinones-Santana are able to follow their dreams, because of your generosity. Denaresh grew up in the City of Rochester in a low-income family. She decided to pursue a degree at Monroe Community College as she desired to break the generational work patterns within her family and build a successful life for herself.
She is the recipient of the Wegman Family Charitable Foundation Scholarship, the Women of Excellence Scholarship, and funding through MCC Assist. This support has allowed Denaresh to persist in her studies, despite the many challenges that she has faced.
YOU ROC!
On November 28th, our community came together to ROC the Day for Monroe Community College students and programs. During this 24-hour day of giving, you helped us raise over $24,000! Thank you for your tremendous support! We are especially grateful for the leadership and generosity from our MCC Foundation Directors and ROC the Day for MCC Co-chairs, Gavin Brownlie and Ian Wilson. They generously matched ROC the Day donations to MCC up to $5,000. Funds raised through ROC the Day fuel student success and break down the financial barriers that may prevent students from earning their degrees or certificates. Your support of this initiative is inspiring.
SECURE YOUR LEGACY WHILE ENRICHING OTHERS' LIVES
As 2023 comes to a close, there are a variety of ways to honor the legacy of yourself or a loved one through a planned gift to the Monroe Community College Foundation.
One of the simplest ways to make a planned gift is to name the MCC Foundation as a beneficiary of a portion of your estate. Simply include a bequest provision in your will and the MCC Foundation will receive it when your estate is settled. Through our partnership with FreeWill, you can create a free estate plan to support your future and the future of the MCC Foundation.
Donors who notify the MCC Foundation of their bequest intention become members of the Alice Holloway Young Society, which recognizes individuals who have advised the MCC Foundation of their intent to benefit the college through a planned gift and is named for Founding Trustee and Board Chair Emerita Alice Holloway Young Ed.D.
For more information on making a planned gift through a retirement account, or for suggested bequest intention language for your will, pleasecontact Christyn Sanagursky (csanagursky@monroecc.edu), director of development.
December 2023
MCC FOUNDATION SALUTES THE RALPH C. WILSON, JR. FOUNDATION
The Monroe Community College Foundation's 32nd Annual Salute to Excellence dinner was an evening filled with shining examples of leadership, philanthropy and MCC success stories. Nearly 300 business and community leaders, MCC alumni, students, faculty, staff and administrators celebrated with us on December 6 at the Floreano Convention Center.
Following four MCC Alumni Hall of Fame inductions, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation President and CEO David O. Egner (pictured above) accepted the 2023 Salute to Excellence award. The award recognizes the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation’s philanthropic commitment to the Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center from concept to completion and for its continued investment in increasing the pool of skilled technicians and providing upward opportunities for residents in the region.
At the Salute to Excellence dinner Honorary Chair Erin Tolefree, president and CEO, and her sister Cara Hughes, vice president, Customer and Community, (pictured below) announced that Baldwin Richardson Foods will make a $100,000 gift in support of the Young Women College Prep Endowed Scholarship and technical students through the Finger Lakes Workforce Development Center making it possible for more students to enroll and succeed at MCC. We also celebrated the MCC Foundation’s 40th anniversary!
AVANGRID FOUNDATION SUPPORTS STUDENTS THROUGH MCC ASSIST
The Avangrid Foundation recently renewed its investment in Monroe Community College’s Emergency Assistance program (MCC Assist) with a grant of $50,000. MCC Assist provides students experiencing financial emergencies with microgrants of up to $500. Addressing these immediate, and often unexpected, situations allows students to persist in their studies.
Thanks to the support of private philanthropy, MCC Assist awarded more than $160,000 in microgrants to more than 440 students during the 2022-2023 academic year. The most frequently cited student needs were for rent/housing assistance, utilities, and car repairs. Eighty percent of MCC Assist recipients remained in school or graduated. The following anecdote from MCC’s Financial Aid Office, who administers MCC Assist, illustrates the tremendous impact of this program:
“A faculty member brought it to the attention of our staff that there was a student in her class who was facing homelessness and paying a daily rate to live at a motel on Rochester’s west side. We also learned that the student has two daughters who also attend MCC and were living in this motel room with her. MCC Assist staff were able to negotiate a room for this small family in MCC’s residence halls. A grant from MCC Assist helped underwrite some of the housing fees, allowing the family to stay together on campus in a safe environment with access to educational opportunities, and without the worry of eviction and monthly rent payments.”
The Monroe Community College Foundation is grateful for the Avangrid Foundation’s support of MCC Assist. If you would like to make a gift to support this program, please visit the MCC Assist webpage.
MAKE YOUR GIFT TO THE ANNUAL FUND BY YEAR END
Gifts to the annual campaign help build the world of tomorrow by supporting scholarships and funding areas of greatest need in our college community. Your gift to the 2023-2024 Annual Fund for Monroe Community College will help students receive the support they need to focus on their studies and reach their educational and career goals.
Your gift empowers innovation at Monroe Community College. Donate online now or call the Monroe Community College Foundation at 585.685.6020 to make your gift. To take advantage of tax benefits in 2023, make your gift by December 31.
Thank you for your generosity!
MCC FOUNDATION RELEASES ITS 2022-2023 IMPACT REPORT
Monroe Community College Foundation donors have made impressive investments in scholarships and innovative programs at Monroe Community College. More than $7.8 million helped to support programs and create hundreds of scholarship opportunities for MCC students, some of whom are featured in this year’s Impact Report.
We invite you to learn more about how contributions make a lasting impact on student’s lives and inspire the way forward toward successful futures.
Support swimming and diving at MCC
The Monroe Community College Foundation and Monroe Community College Athletics are partnering to raise funds to support our women's and men's swimming and diving program. Led by Coach Dale Pearce, the 2023-2024 season is off to a great start. Funds raised will help ensure that that the swimming and diving team is well-prepared to represent MCC in competition. Watch the MCC swimming and diving team's fundraising video to learn more! Thank you for supporting our Tribunes!