EUGENE, Ore. — The Lane Community College Foundation hosted its annual fundraiser, The Celebration, October 13th at the Graduate Hotel in downtown Eugene. The event raised more than $355,000 to support the work of the Foundation, student scholarships and programs at the college, as well as emergency student support.
According to LCC Foundation Executive Director Wendy Jett, “This total is on par with last year and is one of our best years ever! The total includes just over $140,000 for Shining Star Scholarships, a new record for our 'paddle raise' event!”
The dinner was chaired by Keven and Irene Alltucker and presented by title sponsor The Yordy-Kropf Charitable Fund. Attendees were offered the opportunity to celebrate students and programs with interactive displays that included drones, welding, physical therapy assistant and archery demonstrations. Over 300 business leaders and community members heard from LCC President Stephanie Bulger, who spoke of the impact community colleges such as Lane have on their lives and how their support impacts the lives of students.
Many students wrestle with the financial realities of paying for their education both at Lane and eventually at a four-year institution; a scholarship offers a substantial reprieve from the otherwise inevitable burden of tremendous debt. However, that financial boost is not the only benefit that students appreciate as scholarship recipients. As one LCC scholarship recipient stated, a scholarship let her know that, “you believed in me.”
“Donors are removing barriers to success,” said Jett. “By believing in, supporting, and inspiring these students to achieve success, these scholarships launch careers.”
Lane Community College educates over 25,000 students annually at six locations across Lane County and online. Students and alumni from all 50 states and 79 countries create more than an $850 million dollar impact on the local economy, helping to support more than 13,000 local jobs. Lane provides affordable, quality, professional technical and college transfer programs; business development and employee training; academic, language and life skills development; and lifelong personal development and enrichment courses.