Past Monthly Newsletters

January 2025

Happy New Year!

Cheers! to an historic year for MCC Students text with background stars

The past year certainly proved to be a year of unleashing unlimited potential. Thanks to you, we provided a record number of scholarships: more than 1,200 awards totaling more than $1.6 million which helped more than 900 hardworking Monroe Community College students! We established 13 new scholarships, helping our students close the chasm between their available resources and the cost of tuition.

Under the leadership of MCC President DeAnna Burt-Nanna, we are catalyzing bright futures for our community and its people. When students join us, they’ve already taken the first steps toward realizing their potential. We are proud to have transferred $6.1 million to the College in support of programs, facilities and scholarships including a total of $74,600 in MCC Assist emergency grants awarded to 350 MCC students.

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 2025.

THE WENTWORTH FAMILY SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS RECORD NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS

Susan Graham '25

The Wentworth Family Scholarship, established by Timothy ’80 and Robin ’80 Wentworth, awarded a record 100 individual scholarships for the first time in 2024. The Wentworth Family Scholarship will now award up to 100 scholarships per year in perpetuity thanks to the endowment established by these extraordinary alumni. The Wentworth family shared the exciting news with the scholarship recipients on a massive zoom call. Each recipient receives up to $3,000 per year and the students, including Susan Graham pictured left, were elated to discuss their goals and share a message of gratitude with the Wentworths.

The motivation to establish this scholarship was a personal endeavor for Tim and Robin, who both attended Monroe Community College. Tim credits the scholarship support he received for his academic and professional success and they both wanted to offer similar assistance to deserving recipients pursuing their education and career goals at MCC.

All of the candidates come from various backgrounds, demonstrating financial need and academic promise. They are able to use the generous scholarship funds toward any cost of education expense, with the award amount varying but expected to cover the cost of full-time tuition.

“Through the kindness of scholarships and generous donors, I have been able to continue my education and maintain my personal life. I am profoundly grateful for the support I’ve received, which has allowed me to stay focused on my goals and dreams.” – Susan Graham ’25

YOUR YEAR-END GIVING STATEMENT

File folders with labels highlighting taxes and receipts

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 at the MCC Foundation office and we will be happy to do so. Thank you again for your generous support!

February 2025

UNLOCKING UNLIMITED POTENTIAL: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR EMERITUS ESTABLISHES TWO ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS

Joanne & Mark Harris

Associate Professor Emeritus, Mark S. Harris, and his wife Joanne (pictured left), have made a lasting commitment to student success by establishing two endowed scholarships at Monroe Community College. Their generosity will empower students for generations to come, helping them realize their unlimited potential both in and beyond the classroom.

After a distinguished career in mathematics at MCC, Mark retired in 2020. Throughout his tenure, he was known not only for his dedication to teaching but also for his passion for supporting students. Mark strongly believed in the value of student engagement outside of the classroom and served as faculty advisor to several student clubs.

Now, just a few years into retirement, Mark and Joanne have established two endowed scholarships that reflect their belief in both academic perseverance and the transformative power of extracurricular involvement.

The Mark S. Harris and Joanne Harris Endowed Scholarship will support mathematics students who are actively involved in a student club, reinforcing the importance of a well-rounded college experience. The Mark S. Harris and Joanne Harris Endowed Scholarship for Student Clubs and Organizations will assist students engaged in at least one club or organization at MCC, with a preference for those involved in the Veterans Club, a faith-based club, or student government. Both scholarships will have their first recipients in the coming months.

Through their generosity, Mark and Joanne are opening doors for students who might otherwise struggle to balance academics with extracurricular opportunities. Their gift is a testament to their unwavering belief in the power of education, engagement, and perseverance. MCC is deeply grateful to Mark and Joanne for their investment in student success. Their legacy will continue to inspire and uplift future generations, ensuring that students have the resources and encouragement they need to thrive.

SAVE THE DATE FOR THE 27TH ANNUAL GOLD STAR GALA PRESENTED BY M&T BANK!

The 27th Annual Gold Star Gala will be held at The Country Club of Rochester on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Guests will be arriving to Behind the Curtain, a theatrical production that will overwhelm the senses! Honorary Chairs Jill and Marty Birmingham and Flor and Bobby Colón along with Committee Chairs Naomi Silver, Desirée Silver and Morrie Silver are planning a thrilling evening in support of students at Monroe Community College! Come, peek behind the curtain and witness the extravagance yourself!

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities and tickets, visit our Gala webpage. As always, thank you for your support of students at MCC!

Behind the Curtain: The MCC Foundation's 27th Annual Gold Star Gala

UNLEASHING UNLIMITED POTENIAL

2024-2025 Annual Fund for Monroe Community College

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. Because of donor support, in 2023-24, a record number of scholarships were awarded totaling more than $1.65 million. This helped more than 900 deserving students. 

Help us continue this momentum by making your gift today. Your generosity will help unleash the unlimited potential of so many attending Monroe Community College. Make your gift to the annual fund today

March 2025

7TH ANNUAL SCHOLARS’ DAY PRESENTED BY THE ESL CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Clint Smith headshot

Scholars’ Day at Monroe Community College is an event dedicated to showcasing the work of student and faculty researchers. This year’s event will conclude with a keynote presentation from Dr. Clint Smith (pictured left). Smith is a staff writer at The Atlantic and the author of #1 New York Times bestselling book, How the Word Is Passed. Through his vital writing and talks, he argues that understanding our history not only enables us to understand our world but also empowers us to fight for racial justice.

Presented by the ESL Charitable Foundation, the keynote presentation will take place at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, in the Robin and Tim Wentworth Arts Building, 1000 East Henrietta Road, Rochester. Purchase tickets for the keynote address here.

TEE UP FOR STUDENT SUCCESS AT MCC'S 41st ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP OPEN!

Get ready for an unforgettable day on the greens! The 41st Annual Scholarship Open returns to The Country Club of Rochester on Monday, June 23, 2025, offering an exceptional round of golf, great food, and lively camaraderie—all for a great cause.

This premier tournament sells out every year, so secure your spot now! Tournament co-chairs Billy Farmer and Kim Gaylord ’98, along with the dedicated Scholarship Open Committee, are planning an outstanding event, ensuring an incredible day of play while raising vital funds for Monroe Community College students.

Don’t miss out! Register for the Scholarship Open and be part of a tradition that changes lives. Thank you for your continued support of MCC students!

The Monroe Community College Foundation's 41st Annual Scholarship Open 06.23.25

CASE SURVEY RESULTS

Upwards trending graph with arrow

Results from the 2024 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.

We are grateful to our donors and Monroe Community College's faculty and staff for their generosity in providing the support our students need to succeed.

Monroe Community College Foundation’s rankings among SUNY community colleges:

  • #1 for total and restricted support!
  • #2 for total unrestricted support!
  • #1 for faculty and staff giving!
  • For a fifth year in a row, our total support exceeded $5 million.
  • Top three for total, unrestricted, and restricted support since 2018.

NOMINATE SOMEONE YOU KNOW FOR THE MCC ALUMNI HALL OF FAME

Monroe Community College Alumni Hall of Fame

Each year the Alumni Hall of Fame Committee of the Monroe Community College Foundation considers nominees for the Monroe Community College Alumni Hall of Fame and selects up to four new inductees. Created in 1992, this 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 someone for the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame today! Nominations are due by June 1, 2025.

Need inspiration? Take a look at our MCC Alumni Hall of Fame members!