Past Monthly Newsletters
January 2026
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
The last year marked a time of growing momentum—made possible by you!
Together, we awarded a record number of scholarships: more than 1,300 awards totaling over $2 million, supporting 945 hardworking Monroe Community College students! We also established nine new scholarships, helping students bridge the gap between available resources and the cost of tuition. The Foundation transferred $7.4 million to the College in support of programs, facilities, and scholarships, including $102,750 in MCC Assist emergency grants for 375 students when they needed it most.
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 2026.
INTRODUCING THE FIRST RECIPIENT OF THE JENNIFER ELIZABETH HICKS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
Katherine Koontz was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Jennifer Elizabeth Hicks Memorial Endowed Scholarship. Jennifer’s family established the scholarship to honor her legacy of kindness and compassion. She graduated from Monroe Community College’s emergency medical technician (EMT) program in 2019 and was devoted to giving back to the community through her work.
Katherine is passionate about using her interest in medicine and physiology to help people in medical emergencies. While attending Rochester Institute of Technology, she earned her EMT certification from MCC and has been active as an EMT since then. She started out volunteering for RIT Ambulance and soon began working full time in commercial emergency medical services. After graduating from RIT in 2023 with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science, she completed a research internship at the Ohio State University before returning to Rochester and starting a family. Now Katherine is in the paramedic program at MCC and anticipates earning her paramedic certification this August. Support from the Jennifer Elizabeth Hicks Memorial Endowed Scholarship has helped to alleviate Katherine’s financial stress so she can focus on her academics, allowing her to better balance life and school with a vocation that is equally demanding and rewarding. Katherine ultimately plans to attend medical school to focus on emergency medicine.
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 28TH ANNUAL GOLD STAR GALA
The 28th Annual Gold Star Gala presented by M&T Bank will be held at The Country Club of Rochester on Saturday, April 25, 2026. Guests will be arriving to DRIVEN: Meet you in Monaco at the Glamourous Gold Star Gala, where the pinnacle of motorsports meets the epitome of style! Honorary Chairs Patty & Jeff Davis and Catherine & Gary L. '76 Squires along with Committee Chairs Lisa & Virgil N. Joseph are planning a thrilling evening in support of students at Monroe Community College! Come, soak in the high-speed thrills and join us in this luxurious locale as we raise funds in support of the real winners: our students!
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities and tickets,visit our Gala webpage.
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 Morgan Nikolov (mnikolov@monroecc.edu) and we will be happy to do so. Thank you again for your generous support!
February 2026
HONORING A LEGACY OF COMPASSION: THE DR. CHRISTOPHER SHIELDS MEMORIAL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
More Monroe Community College students now have access to meaningful financial support through the Dr. Christopher Shields Memorial Endowed Scholarship—intentionally designed with flexible eligibility criteria so it can support a wide range of students.
The scholarship honors Dr. Christopher Shields (pictured left), a proud MCC alumnus whose education here launched a 45-year career in Emergency Medicine in New York City. Known for treating every patient with dignity and for mentoring generations of young physicians, Dr. Shields never forgot where his journey began. He often credited MCC as the foundation that made his life’s work possible.
Grounded in Dr. Shields’s belief in accessible education, this scholarship supports students who share his values—compassion, resilience, curiosity, and a commitment to helping others—as they begin their own paths of service and impact.
Interested in establishing a scholarship of your own? Reach out to the MCC Foundation (mccf@monroecc.edu) to explore how you can make a lasting difference for future MCC students.
FUELING MCC'S GROWING MOMENTUM
Gifts to the Annual Fund for Monroe Community College create scholarships and support innovative programs that help students overcome barriers to success. Community food pantries on campus and a dedicated homelessness liaison are just two examples of initiatives made possible by philanthropic support, allowing us to pilot new ways to keep students enrolled, focused, and on track to achieve their goals.
Your gift to the Annual Fund ensures students receive the assistance they need to pursue their educational and career aspirations with confidence.
Thanks to donor generosity, in 2024–25, a record number of scholarships—more than 1,300 awards totaling over $2 million—helped more than 945 deserving students. Yet our work remains unfinished. Every student deserves the stability and support needed to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
Help us sustain this growing momentum by making your gift today. Your generosity strengthens the foundation that empowers MCC students to succeed.
FRIENDS GATHER FOR CABIN FEVER
On February 26, 100 friends of MCC gathered to escape the winter blues at Cabin Fever—an evening centered on connection, community, and supporting students facing unexpected financial challenges. Hosted by a generous committee of community leaders, including proud MCC alumna Agathi Georgiou Graham ’05, owner of the Arbor Loft where the event was held, the night brought together new and longtime supporters around a shared commitment to helping students stay on track when life takes an unexpected turn.
Why emergency support matters:
- Setbacks can derail students. A flat tire, missed childcare, or a medical bill can keep students from staying in class and completing their degree.
- Basic needs insecurity is widespread. Over half of MCC students lack reliable access to food, housing, or transportation.
- Emergency funding works. Eighty percent of students who receive support persist and graduate, showing the power of timely assistance
The evening also included remarks from MCC alumnus Dylan Burgio '20, who reminded guests how timely support can create stability—not just for students, but for their families as well. Dylan is pictured below alongside Gretchen Wood, Laura-Ann Wood of Broadstone Net Lease, and Agathi Georgiou Graham.
We are grateful to our event hosts and our bar sponsor, Broadstone Net Lease, whose support helped make Cabin Fever a welcoming and memorable evening.
If you’re interested in helping MCC students weather unexpected challenges, we’d love to connect. Contact the MCC Foundation (mccf@monroecc.edu) to learn how you can make a lasting difference.
March 2026
DRIVING THE FUTURE OF AUTOMOTIVE CAREERS
Strong partnerships are fueling the next generation of skilled automotive professionals at Monroe Community College. The Rochester Automobile Dealers Association, alongside a consortium of local automotive manufacturers, has made a collective $1 million investment to name multiple instructional and student-facing labs in the new Sydor Optics Advanced Technology Center. These spaces will give students hands-on experience with the latest industry technologies, preparing them to graduate workforce-ready.
Opening Fall 2026, the building will feature:
- Rochester Automotive Dealers Association Wing.
- Alternative Fuel Lab sponsored by Rochester Area Cadillac Dealers.
- General Motors Automotive Lab sponsored by Rochester Area Chevrolet Dealers.
- Toyota Automotive Lab sponsored by Rochester Area Toyota Dealers.
- Multi-Manufacturer Lab sponsored by Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, and Subaru and their Rochester Area Dealers.
This community investment is about more than naming spaces—it’s about building a skilled workforce and expanding career pathways for MCC students. A degree in Automotive Technology can be rigorous, but the reward is strong job placement opportunities and a median starting salary of about $50,000.
Pictured above: Doug Rivers and Robin Cole Jr. of MCC with John Love and Brad McAreavy of the Rochester Automotive Dealers Association.
START YOUR ENGINES — OUR FAVORITE NIGHT OF THE YEAR IS ALMOST HERE!
Join us on Saturday, April 25th for the 28th Annual Gold Star Gala Presented by M&T Bank, and get ready to experience the thrill of the Monaco Grand Prix right here in Rochester, New York.
This year, we're merging the glamour of Formula 1 with an unforgettable evening of giving. With the support of our Honorary Chairs Patty & Jeff Davis and Catherine & Gary '76 Squires, Committee Chairs Lisa & Virgil N. Joseph, and Auction Advocates Robin '80 and Tim '80 Wentworth, we've built a night that's firing on all cylinders. But the real race? Helping Monroe Community College students cross the finish line toward a brighter future.
Visit our website to learn more about tickets and sponsorship opportunities. We can't wait to see you on the grid!
NOMINATE SOMEONE YOU KNOW FOR THE MONROE COMMUNITY COLLEGE ALUMNI HALL OF FAME
Do you know a Monroe Community College graduate who has made a lasting impact on their community? Nominate them for the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame!
Since 1992, this honor has recognized alumni who have achieved outstanding success and left a lasting mark on their communities. Each year, up to four new inductees are selected by the MCC Foundation's Alumni Hall of Fame Committee. Nominations are due June 1, 2026.
Need inspiration? Take a look at the list of past inductees and submit your nomination today!
18TH ANNUAL SCHOLARS’ DAY PRESENTED BY THE ESL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION
Scholars’ Day at Monroe Community College celebrates the research and creative work of students and faculty.
This year’s event will include a keynote address by Dr. Amy Goodman (pictured right), host and executive producer of Democracy Now!, a national, daily, independent news program. She has also co-authored six New York Times bestsellers, most recently Democracy Now!: Twenty Years Covering the Movements Changing America, which will be the focus of her presentation.
Presented by the ESL Charitable Foundation, the keynote will take place on Wednesday, April 29th at 12:00 p.m. in the Robin and Tim Wentworth Arts Building, 1000 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14623. This event is free and open to the public, no RSVP needed.
CASE SURVEY RESULTS
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has released its 2025 Voluntary Support of Education (VSE) survey results. This is the definitive measure of philanthropic giving to nonprofit and public higher education institutions in the United States.
This year, Monroe Community College Foundation’s rankings among SUNY community colleges is second to none, including:
- #1 for total and restricted support!
- #1 for new funds committed!
- #1 for faculty and staff giving!
- And, for a sixth year in a row, our total support exceeded $5 million at $6,176,824!
In the words of MCC Foundation Executive Director Gretchen Wood: "These investments happen because donors are inspired by the work that our faculty and staff are doing with our students. This is our collective good work, and we should celebrate this together."