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MCC Salutes Wegman Family Charitable Foundation, ESL Charitable Foundation Announces $4 Million Grant (11/07/2019)

Note: This is an ARCHIVED news release. Information in this article may have changed since this was published.

Danny Wegman Salute 19Wegman Family Charitable Foundation President and Chairman Danny Wegman (pictured right) acknowledged the Wegman Scholars who were present at the 30th Annual Salute to Excellence dinner. The Salute to Excellence award was presented by MCC Foundation Board Chair Sergio Esteban, Every Bright Future Campaign Honorary Chair Tim Wentworth '80, MCC Board of Trustees Chairperson Dr. Barbara Lovenheim, MCC President Anne Kress and MCC Foundation Chief Advancement Officer and Executive Director Gretchen Wood.

Before an audience of 400 business and community leaders, Wegman Family Charitable Foundation President and Chairman Danny Wegman accepted Monroe Community College Foundation’s 2019 Salute to Excellence award. The award recognizes the Wegman family’s philanthropic commitment to help MCC alleviate student hunger and basic needs insecurities so that more students graduate on time. The award presentation preceded a major campaign announcement at the MCC Foundation’s 30th annual Salute to Excellence dinner held at the Floreano Convention Center.

In March 2019, the Wegman Family Charitable Foundation invested $3 million with the MCC Foundation to help first-year students overcome hunger and other barriers to earning a college degree or certificate. During the fall 2019 semester, more than 200 students became the first “Wegman scholars” at MCC. The scholars benefit from food scholarships and success coaches to guide them on their academic journeys. Students also benefit from campus food pantries, emergency funds, and co-curricular workshops designed to support personal development and success.

The Wegman Family Charitable Foundation gift supports MCC’s Every Bright Future Needs a Strong Foundation campaign. Launched in 2018 by Honorary Chairs Robin ’80 and Tim ’80 Wentworth, the campaign seeks to raise $50 million to increase the number of scholarships available to MCC students and help grow the local economy through a well-educated and technically sophisticated workforce.

Following the award presentation, Tim Wentworth ’80 announced a new investment from the ESL Charitable Foundation of $4 million to launch three innovative programs at MCC that support student success. The scholarships will be provided over a five-year period and focus on three programs for income-eligible students:
    · Pathway to College: Increasing access to college for individuals without a high school diploma because students without a high school degree are not able to access federal aid to pursue a college education.
      · Strong Foundation: Pre-matriculation preparation needed because of the pattern of students exhausting their financial aid while completing developmental coursework that is required to be prepared for college-level classes.
      · Finish Strong: Financing final credits for students who have exhausted their financial aid just short of earning a certificate or degree.
      “Every student in our community, no matter their age or background, should have pathways available to an affordable, high-quality education that sets them up for career success,” said Faheem Masood, ESL Federal Credit Union President & CEO. “MCC and the MCC Foundation are proven leaders in our community when it comes to making education options available that lead to meaningful employment opportunities for the Greater Rochester population. We are honored and elated to support these vital scholarship programs that will have a significant, positive impact on the students.”

      According to Sergio Esteban, chairman and chief executive officer of LaBella Associates and chair of the MCC Foundation Board of Directors, “Private philanthropy fuels MCC’s ability to respond to changing student and community needs. The MCC Foundation is grateful to the Wegman family, ESL and hundreds of alumni, supporters and friends who have made the Every Bright Future campaign a record-breaking victory for local students and families. We have exceeded our ambitious plan, raising $52.5 million to support MCC students, 5 percent over goal.”

      “Generous community supporters shared a vision to motivate local students and helped us surpass our historic campaign goal in just over one year,” said Gretchen Wood, CFRE, chief advancement officer and executive director of the MCC Foundation. “Because of them, thousands of MCC students now have the scholarship and other supports they need to establish strong foundations for life.”

      The event also highlighted the achievements and leadership of MCC Alumni Hall of Fame inductees, including five members of the Campbell family, Bergmann President and CEO Pietro “Pete” Giovenco ’86, the Honorable Alecia Mazzo ’87 and Rochester Police Chief La’Ron Singletary ’00.

      Pamela and Rob Sands (Constellation Brands) were honorary chairs for the event, with The Sands Family Foundation as title sponsor. Julie Camardo (Zweigle’s) served as the event chair. Avangrid Foundation and RG&E were gold sponsors.

      The Salute to Excellence award reflects the recipient’s commitment to public higher education and the community. Past recipients of the award include Avangrid Foundation and RG&E, Sandy Parker and John “Dutch” Summers, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Greater Rochester Health Foundation, Xerox Foundation and Robin '80 and Tim '80 Wentworth.

      Media Contact:
      Rosanna Yule
      Government and Community Relations
      585-292-3024
      ryule@monroecc.edu