As he completes his term, we would like to recognize Thomas Lee, MD, for his leadership as Chair of the Westchester Community College Foundation for the past three years. His commitment to WCCF is especially remarkable given his active professional practice as a neurosurgeon and, more recently, his new role as Executive Vice President of the New York State Medical Association. President Cornelia Spring says, “Tom has provided wise counsel, represented the Foundation at internal and external events, presided over numerous meetings and gatherings, and left the already strong Foundation even stronger and better prepared for the years ahead. Many thanks, Tom, for being a critical moving force for the Foundation!” MESSAGE FROM WCC FOUNDATION Dear Friends, Thanks to you, we are in a strong position to continue to provide essential, holistic support of our students and the college in 2024 and well into the future. This year we provided more than $2.8 million in life-changing scholarships and nearly $1.1 million in forward-thinking programmatic support to the college. With the leadership of our Strategic Planning Committee chairs, Meryl Allison and Wendy Nadel, the Committee developed a strategic framework for the Foundation focused on providing resources for the college to prepare all SUNY WCC students for their future careers, whether they are on campus to earn a short-term credential, to complete a two-year degree that will lead them directly into the workforce, or to pursue a SUNY WCC degree that will allow them to transfer to a four-year college. The Committee’s work led to the adoption of the Foundation’s new mission statement, demonstrating our broader vision of the Foundation’s work: “The Westchester Community College Foundation, in partnership with SUNY Westchester Community College, provides scholarship, financial and programmatic support to promote student success in college and beyond.” We are very grateful for the support of our many friends in the community. We would like to highlight some special gifts to the Foundation. Gerstner Philanthropies has again increased its support of the Emergency Aid Fund, which provides immediate assistance to students facing one-time emergencies, to $150,000 this year. JPMorganChase has approved another significant grant of $315,000 to promote workforce development and partnerships in healthcare and construction focused on our Mount Vernon Extension Center. Our relationship with the rock band Metallica continues through a special $50,000 grant from its foundation, All Within My Hands, in partnership with Carhartt clothing brand, to promote women in construction and advanced manufacturing. New significant Scholarship Endowments have been established by the Kaufman family in memory of former Board member Ann Kaufman and her husband, and by the family of Walter Hauck, in memory of this beloved former SUNY WCC coach. We have seen significant growth in our Hartford Hall Society, which recognizes loyal friends of the College who have established a legacy gift or a permanent endowment to ensure that we will be here to help future generations of students. In a world full of endless possibilities and significant challenges for students, we are committed to being a partner of the College in welcoming students, providing resources such as emergency grants so that they can continue their studies, and helping to prepare students for their future careers. We look forward to your continued involvement and are sincerely thankful for your support of SUNY WCC students. Sincerely, Thomas Lee, M.D. Cornelia Spring Dolores Swirin-Yao Chair President Executive Director For our full 2024 annual report with more student stories, visit www.sunywcc.edu/annual-report-2024
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