Community supports WSCC Future Foundation to tune of $199,500
Hundreds of supporters of the Future Foundation of Wallace State Community College look over the items up for auction during the 10th annual Student Investment Luncheon and Auction. Almost $200,000 was raised at the event, which funds scholarships for deserving students.
HANCEVILLE — Hundreds of community supporters, faculty, staff and students of Wallace State came through in a big way to help raise funds for scholarships, raising $199,500 for the Future Foundation of Wallace State Community College.
Foundation president Scotty Hooper expressed his thanks to all of those who helped put the 10th annual event together and those who turned out in support or who donated items for the silent and live auctions.
“This is how we fund these scholarships,” Hooper said. “A lot of people put a lot of work into this event and it helps a lot of students who wouldn’t have been able to go to school.”
WSCC President Dr. Vicki Karolewics pointed out to the audience the students who have benefited from Future Foundation scholarships. “As you look around at the students in green shirts and the orange shirts, those are the faces of the people in whose lives you’ve made a difference with your investment,” Dr. Karolewics said.
Dr. Karolewics also read from note cards placed on each table with messages from students expressing their thanks for those supporting the Future Foundation. “Without the Future Foundation it would be very difficult for students like me to attend college,” she read. “This gives me a chance to better myself and I’m extremely grateful for your donations. Thank you again for everything you’ve done for my education.”
Since 2005, the Future Foundation has awarded more than 1,700 scholarships, awarding over $150,000 each year. The Foundation has more than 32 named and endowed scholarships. Endowed scholarships are established when contributions equal $25,000 or more.
Four new endowed scholarship were announced Wednesday. Melanie and Kathy Maddox established an endowed scholarship in memory of their father, longtime WSCC employee Dr. Joe Wayne Maddox for students majoring in education; one in memory of Grant Brown, the son of Kim and Jeff Brown, to be awarded to a graduating Hanceville High School senior; one from the Cullman Ballet Society to support dancers pursuing a postsecondary degree; and one established by Don and Judie Hubbard.
The money raised at the Student Investment Luncheon was matched through the college’s Title III Strengthening Institution grant, which provided up to $50,000 in matching funds for the event.
During the event, Hooper recognized table sponsors. Premier sponsors included American Proteins, My Way Transportation and Freedom Insurance. Each will have a 1-year tuition scholarship of $4,000 awarded in their name.
Four gold sponsors included American Proteins, Truckworx Kenworth, Alabama Cullman Yutaka and Traditions Bank. Each of these will have two $750 bookstore scholarships awarded in their names.
Dozens of Silver, Friends and Faculty and Staff donors were listed in the event program. Dr. Karolewics also announced a scholarship supported by Rep. Randall Shedd, R-Cullman.
Before the live auction, the crowd was entertained by speed painter Tim Decker, who created three paintings as the audience watched. Those and a fourth painted earlier were auctioned off as part of the fundraiser.
For more information about the Future Foundation, call 256.352.7808 or visit www.wsccfuturefoundation.org.
