Our Leaders
Wendy Jett, Executive Director
Lane Community College is now over 50 years old and has touched the lives of multiple generations of families. One of the best parts of my job is working with Lane’s original donors, their children, and even their grandchildren – families who give together and build upon each other’s legacy. Whether it is a family deciding to create an endowment with a major gift, one that gives small amounts over time, or one that includes Lane in their estate – what is important is that family members are discussing their philanthropic choices and sharing their passions and values with their children.
I remember a luncheon we hosted to bring together the scholarship recipients and family members of Bernice Ingalls Staton, who established a significant scholarship endowment during her lifetime. Multiple members of her family were present; they came to meet her scholarship recipients and to ensure those recipients know that the entire family supports them. One of the family members brought his young daughter, Bernice’s great-granddaughter. He told me he did this so that she could see how important these scholarships are and how this gift has changed so many lives. He brought her to witness the impact of his family’s work, so that she could absorb it and carry that feeling forward in her own future choices. It was an inspiring moment. When that young girl spoke with scholarship recipients, faces lit up on both sides. Our scholarship recipients, some of whom don’t have family support of their own, felt the very real commitment from this family.
When you make a gift, no matter how large, you are making a choice that transforms not only the life of a student or the success of a program, but all the lives that are touched by them. It is a choice that also affects your own family. A gift of money or time is an expression of the values you hold, values that can be passed down from parent to child. That is one of the most wonderful aspects of giving – you cannot do it in isolation. You are connected, whether to your own family members or to your Lane “family.”
Thank you for the continued support you and your family give to Lane.
Stephanie Bulger, President, Lane Community College
Dr. Stephanie Bulger began her tenure as the eighth president of Lane Community College on July 1, 2022. Her journey in education is deeply rooted in an extensive academic background, including a Ph.D. in Higher Education from the University of Michigan. As an undergraduate, she majored in English and focused on 19th and 20th-century British and American Literature during her master’s degree program.
Before joining Lane Community College, Dr. Bulger served in multiple leadership roles at community college districts in California and Michigan, including as vice chancellor. These experiences provided her with a broad perspective on the challenges and opportunities within community colleges and fostered a commitment to creating environments where students and communities can thrive.
Dr. Bulger’s work often intersects with technology, and she has consulted on technology trends impacting higher education. She has written extensively on issues affecting at-risk students, educational technology, innovation, and distance learning. Her publications have appeared in books, industry newsletters, and monographs. Additionally, her experience with an educational technology start-up has fueled her dedication to promoting entrepreneurial initiatives that enhance learning, student support, and workforce development.
At Lane Community College, Dr. Bulger is driven by a passion for increasing equitable access to education and improving outcomes for both community college students and the communities served by the institution. Under her leadership, Lane Community College has reversed a decade-long enrollment decline and embarked on a bold path to position itself as the workforce and talent development hub in Lane County and beyond. To further the vitality of the region, Dr. Bulger serves on the boards of Oregon State University and the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce.
Outside of her professional life, Dr. Bulger finds joy in adventure, yoga, exploring the arts, and delving into family history. She has a particular interest in reading presidential biographies. Living in the southern Willamette Valley continually inspires her with its natural beauty and vibrant communities.
Board of Trustees
The members of the Lane Community College Foundation Board of Trustees are selected for their professional expertise, their involvement within the community, and their support of Lane Community College. They are private individuals who donate their time to serve on our Board of Trustees.
2024-25 Executive Committee
Steve Wildish, President
Irene Alltucker, First Vice President
Paula Chan Carpenter, Second Vice President
Diana Learner, Treasurer
Alan Yordy, Past President
Susan Soonkeum Cox, Member at Large
Shannon Grant, Member at Large
Stephanie Bulger, LCC President
Wendy Jett, Secretary
2024-25 Board of Trustees
Amanda Haugland, Community Volunteer
Mary Jeanne Jacobsen, Community Volunteer
Mary Jane Mori, Retired Judge, Eugene Municipal Court
Tanner Perrine, Project Executive, Lease Crutcher Lewis
Bart Poston, Community Volunteer
Kim Rexius, Community Volunteer
Bruce Riddle, Community Volunteer
Amy Romero, Manager, McKay Commercial Properties, LLC
Beth Sheehan, Director of Philanthropy, Eugene Mission
Mary Spilde, Lane Community College President Emerita
Kathie Tippens Wiper, Retired Teacher, Sheldon High School
Sandy Watkinson, Community Volunteer
John Wolf, Retired Attorney, Speer Hoyt, LLC
2024-25 Ex-Officio
Rosa Maria Bañuelos-Uribe, Staff Representative, Project Coordinator, LCC Recruitment & Admissions
Freedom Browne, Student Representative, Scholarship Ambassador, LCC Foundation
Stephanie Bulger, President, Lane Community College
Doug Ford, Faculty Representative, LCC Advanced Technology, Welding
Lisa Fragala, Board of Education Representative, School & Community Partnership Coordinator, Pacific University
Wendy Jett, Executive Director, LCC Foundation
2024-25 Finance Committee
Zachary Blalack, Community Volunteer
Shannon Dolan, Accountant, LCC Foundation
Shannon Grant, Investment Advisor, Roehl & Yi
Wendy Jett, Executive Director, LCC Foundation
Diana Learner, Community Volunteer
David Sullivan, Systems Staff, Computer Science, University of Oregon
Alan Yordy, Retired CEO, PeaceHealth Oregon Region