Inside This Issue

Grateful Grads

500 Scholarships

Silent Auction

Markley Support

New Endowment

Golf with Us

2 Join Board

Cable TV Ads

Economic Impact

Questions/ Comments?

Contact Us

Ryan McCoyExecutive Director(303) 404‐5238ryan.mccoy@frontrange.edu

Elizabeth GrantProgram Manager(303) 404‐5464elizabeth.grant@frontrange.edu

Gail PliszkaAdministrative Assistant(303) 404‐5463gail.pliszka@frontrange.edu

Graduating Scholarship Students Give Tribute to Donors,Foundation, College

Jennifer Brooks

Jennifer harbored dreams of becoming a doctor.Financial realities made that goal appear unattainableuntil she applied to FRCC and received a scholarship.Today, Jennifer’s future looks very different—and veryhopeful.

She was accepted into the competitive College ofVeterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences atColorado State University and started classes thisspring. Like so many FRCC scholarship recipients,Jennifer emphasizes that, without donors’ generosityand belief in her, the academic challenges she facedstarting college would have been more daunting.

That confidence in her was essential. “I am the first generation to pursue a bachelor’sdegree. I am bringing a new legacy to my family,” Jennifer says. She maintained a 4.0 GPAwhile working and caring for her little boy, and finished her requirements for inductioninto the National Society of Leadership and Success, Sigma Alpha Pi while attending CSU.

Studies indicate that most community college students give to the four‐year college fromwhich they graduate. Not Jennifer. “I have already spoken to my husband aboutcontributing to the Foundation when I become a doctor.” She believes helping otherstudents attain scholarships is an important way to honor the generosity of FRCC donorswho helped her take an important step toward achieving her dream.

Nancy Medina‐Kochis

Nancy is the mother of a 21‐year‐old son who was bornwith Stickler syndrome and requires jaw surgery. Shegrappled with how she would pay for college and thesurgery. She opted to continue to work part time anduse saved retirement funds for the surgery. To Nancy,being awarded a Foundation scholarship was bothemotional and a privilege.

Her heritage includes Apache and Navajo (Inde orNide–“the people”), as well as Sephardic Jews fromSpain, which made her eligible for the Louis P. SingerHispanic Student Scholarship established by MidgeKorczak in memory of her father. The Foundationfacilitates the meeting of donors and scholars, and Nancy emphasizes how grateful she isfor Midge’s mentoring and encouragement.

It is central to Nancy to create a future that allows her to give back to the community in ameaningful way. She intends to become a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. In a first steptoward achieving her goal, she has been accepted into Metropolitan State University ofDenver’s Integrative Therapeutic Practices Program, which capitalizes on a recent shift inhealth care toward integrative medicine, combining Western medical treatments withnatural therapies.

And she has already given back to the Foundation. Nancy was selected as a FoundationFellow for the Scholar Success Program, helping other scholarship recipients stay in

May 2015

college, giving support in overcoming any academic challenges they faced, and ensuringthey succeed.

Alexandra Hurley‐MacVean

Alexandra was in a terrible car accident last year,which forced her to drop classes and leave her campusjob. She is proud to be graduating this year despite thechallenges she has faced and adds her thanks tofoundation “donors who helped make it possible for myacademic dreams to come true.”

Alexandra worked hard to recover from the accident,returned to school, and is graduating from FRCC withhonors. “My journey as an FRCC scholar has been agood one and worth every moment.”

Sam Lawrence

Sam explains that the Foundation believed in himbefore he believed in himself, for which he is verythankful. “I came from a special education program andnever thought I was ready for college,” he says. “Butthe Foundation awarded me a scholarship, and thatchanged my life.”

Four years later, Sam is graduating with honors andearned a full academic scholarship to the university ofhis choice. “I am truly grateful to the Foundation andits donors who trusted me. I am honored to be a FrontRange Community College scholar.”

Sasha Strong

Sasha acknowledges that without a Foundationscholarship, attending FRCC would have been a “truestruggle” financially. She credits her scholarship forhelping her turn adversity into an advantage and ismost grateful for being selected as a scholar.

Boulder Campus Vice President Linda Curran honoredher this year with a Vice President’s Service Award.The annual award is presented to students who aresignificantly active on campus, and, as Linda explained,go the “extra distance through service andleadership.” Sasha has served as a Student Ambassadorsince spring 2014, providing campus tours, and workedwith Outreach and Enrollment Services. One of theindividuals who nominated Sasha for the awarddescribed her as “dedicated, outgoing, and passionate in all that she does.”

Sasha also interned for state Rep. Joe Salazar, vice chair of the State, Veterans, andMilitary Affairs Committee and member of the Judiciary Committee.

500 Students Benefit from FRCC Foundation Scholarships

More than 500 students receivedscholarships from the FRCC Foundation forthe 2014‐2015 academic year. Financialsupport topped $550,000. The Foundationis planning to award more than $400,000in scholarships to students registering forfall 2015 and spring 2016 classes.

Foundation Executive Director Ryan McCoy praised those who invest with FRCC throughdonations to the Foundation. A full year at FRCC can cost about $5,000 with books andother expenses. “Our donors appreciate how much more impact their giving has at FRCCcompared to significantly more expensive colleges. And the opportunities their investment

generates for our scholarship recipientswould be out of reach without our donors’kindness and generosity.”

Program Manager Elizabeth Grant worksclosely with FRCC scholars. She can attestto scholars’ commitment to their studiesand appreciation of donors’ investment intheir success. “Each scholar is required tosign a ‘Student Success Contract’ that ourdata show contributes to scholars’ earningtheir degrees and/or certificates at afaster rate. This is terrific news,”Elizabeth says.

Scholarship applications were receivedfrom more than 750 students this academic year. Ryan thanks the 120 volunteerscholarship reviewers who read and rated the applications. “Because of these dedicatedvolunteers, we were able to review each scholar application in a timely manner and notifythe students of their scholarship awards very quickly.”

Scholarship award criteria range from financial need to merit, helping students pursuing atraditional higher education pathway and those training in a career/technical educationprogram.

Silent Auction Raises Scholarship Funds for AspiringWelders

Creative classroom projects made by LarimerCampus College Now (high school) weldingstudents raised more than $11,000 in an April16 silent auction dedicated to fundingscholarships for high school students strivingto obtain any of eight welding certificatesoffered by the college.

Larimer Campus Vice President BruceWalthers praised the quality of the students’work and the innovative “wow factor” of theauction items. The all‐day event inside andoutside the Longs Peak Student Centerfeatured lawn decorations, fire pits, grills,patio furniture, and a striking, large giraffethat sold for $1,000.

This is the first year that the proceeds fromthe auction were donated to the Foundationfor scholarships, as outlined in an agreementwith the Foundation. In past years, funds havebeen used to purchase materials for futureclassroom projects.

Forney Industries generously donated weldinggear and equipment for a raffle in conjunctionwith the auction. The $5 raffle tickets raisedan additional $3,500. Forney also supportsscholarships for welding students and donatesForney products that enhance students’educational experiences—from weldingmaterials to safety equipment and clothing.Steve Anderson, president and CEO of Forney,serves as an advisor to the WeldingTechnology Program. Steve was elected to theFoundation board of directors in December. 

FRCC’s Westminster Campus offers weldingclasses at Prairie View High School, and itsstudents also are eligible for the scholarships.

The New York Times printed an article March 10 with the headline “As Demand forWelders Resurges, Community Colleges Offer Classes.” The author pointed out that,

through most of the 1980s, the number of welders nationwide topped 550,000, but by2013, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported there were just 343,000.

Though the Bureau of Labor Statistics has projected that the number of welding jobs willrise 6 percent nationwide in coming years, the American Welding Society recentlyestimated at least a 10 percent jump over the next decade as demand increases to meetthe energy boom. There is currently a wait list for acceptance into Larimer’s weldingprogram.

All FRCC Welding Technology instructors are certified by the American Welding Society aseducators and inspectors.

Markley Family Pledge Supports Automotive TechnologyProgram and Students

The Markley family, which has been in the autobusiness for almost 80 years, has pledged $100,000in support of the Larimer Campus AutomotiveTechnology Program. The gift to the Foundation willprovide funds for both a strong and expanding

automotive program and scholarships for its students.

FRCC President Andy Dorsey thanked the family for its generous pledge at the Feb. 27ribbon‐cutting celebration of the opening of Little Bear Peak, a new building that is partof the Larimer Campus’ $32‐million renovation program. The auto lab in the new campusbuilding will be named the Markley Motors Automotive Technology Laboratory.

“We understand the complex mechanical, chemical, and electronic equipment found incars today,” said Doug Markley, president of Markley Motors. “The quality of instruction atFRCC is very impressive, as are its students. The college’s automotive program graduatesmuch‐needed, skilled employees. We are proud to be a partner and support the collegeand its auto program.”

Ferd Markley first opened a Dodge‐Plymouth dealership in Fort Collins in 1936. The fourthgeneration of the Markley family is very active in the business. Today, Markley Motorsincludes a Buick‐GMC dealership and a Honda dealership in Fort Collins as well as a repairfacility.

The Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology provides students withthe technical skills necessary to test, diagnose, and repair today’s vehicles. In addition tothe degree, the program offers 10 certificates associated with engines and drive trains,brakes and alignment, and fuel and emission controls.

Ryan McCoy, Foundation executive director, praised Larimer Campus Vice PresidentWalthers and Dean Kim Dale, who were instrumental in mentoring the new partnershipwith Markley Motors.

Forney Industries also was recognized at the ribbon‐cutting ceremony. The new campusbuilding also houses the Welding Technology Program.

Board President Announces New Endowment, PraisesLongtime Supporter

Board President Nancy Hamilton announces a $25,000endowment in support of Foundation scholarships,donated by board member Harold Henke. She alsopraises Xcel Energy for its continued annual $15,000grant to fund scholarships for the college’s PrecisionMachining Program.

Harold has served on the board since 2011 and is veryactive with the administration and oversight of itsscholarship program. His company, Flatirons TechnicalCommunications, specializes in helping customerscreate structured, reusable information for technicaldocumentation and training. Harold, who is a graduateof a community college, has a doctorate in computingtechnology education and worked in the informationtechnology industry for more than 30 years forcompanies such as Brocade, IBM, and Oracle. His endowment complements his support forFRCC students through the Henke Walker Foster Child Scholarship and the CertificateCompletion Scholarship funds.

The grant from Xcel Energy, a major U.S. electricityand natural gas company operating in eight states, ispart of the company’s corporate‐giving strategy thatfocuses on four areas, one of which is education.“Supporting programs like this is a smart investment,” says Joanna Ramirez Barrett, XcelEnergy’s director of corporate giving. “Through our foundation grants, we help to create avibrant future for the communities in which we live and work. Building a strongerworkforce is great way to do just that.”

FRCC’s Precision Machining Program is housed in the Advanced Technology Center at theBoulder County Campus in Longmont. Students build skills, starting with mechanical lathesand mills, and advance to computer‐numeric‐controlled equipment. Campus VicePresident Linda Curran added her thanks to Xcel. Linda underscores the importance ofcorporate partners to FRCC programs that provide students with essential skills in demandby Colorado’s manufacturing sectors.

Have Fun, Help Deserving Students; Invite Friends to Playin FRCC Foundation Golf Tournament

Golfers can still register to play in the Foundation’s June 5 “A Lot to GIVE” golftournament at the Greg Mastriona Golf Courses at Hyland Hills in Westminster.

The 112 players registered to play in the tournament to date include FRCC President AndyDorsey, faculty and staff, and prospective and current donors. It is an opportunity to learnmore about how the Foundation makes a difference in students’ lives. And, it is both funand meaningful. Past golf tournaments have raised more than $60,000—growing funds forscholarships for needy students.

Individual entry is $250 with a complimentary buffet breakfast and lunch. The eventincludes prizes and a drawing. Registration start at 7 a.m.; the tournament begins at 8a.m.

Many thanks to our caring sponsors!

Double Eagle ($10,000) – Adolfson & Petersen Construction and 1stBankEagle ($5,000) – Suzanne and Dave Hoover, Regis University, and TownsendRetirement Planning & Wealth ManagementBirdie ($2,000) – City of Brighton, Credit Union of Colorado Foundation, ForneyIndustries, and VistarPar ($1,000) – Checkers Industrial Safety Products, Community Reach CenterSystems Inc., Nancy and Pete Hamilton, Hyland Hills Park & Recreation District,Martin and Phyllis Ruffalo, Don Sarno of Keller Williams Preferred Realty, SilkRoadSoftware, and United PowerPutter Challenge Sponsor ($700) – 20/20 Tax ResolutionHole Sponsor ($500) – Adams 12 Five Star Schools

For more information or to register, contact Elizabeth Grant at (303) 404‐5464 orelizabeth.grant@frontrange.edu.

Board Elects Two New Members

SeonAh Kendall

SeonAh, a FRCC alumna and former member of thecollege’s business faculty who is now the economic policyand project manager for Fort Collins, and Ryan M. Tharp, aDenver attorney, recently joined the board of directors.

SeonAh received an Associate of Arts degree from FRCC andbachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administrationfrom Colorado State University. Her experience includeseconomic and talent development and recruitment. Sheserves on the Larimer County Workforce Investment Boardand the Economic Development Council of Colorado. She isalso a member of the International Economic DevelopmentCouncil and the American Institute of CPAs.

Ryan Tharp

Ryan is an attorney at Fairfield and Woods, P.C. Hefocuses on business, technology, and communicationslaw. He earned undergraduate and law degrees fromthe University of Colorado at Boulder. While in lawschool, Ryan interned at the Federal CommunicationsCommission.

Before attending law school, he taught English toVietnamese students in Hanoi. Ryan is a member of theColorado Bar Association and a member at large of theExecutive Council of its Technology andCommunications Section. He is also a member of theAmerican Bar Association and the FederalCommunications Bar Association.

Ryan McCoy emphasized that the skills and experience SeonAh and Ryan bring to theboard will be tremendous assets as the Foundation strives to increase funding and awardmore scholarships to needy students.

Cable TV Ads Expand Audience for Enrollment Campaign

FRCC added cable television advertising to the marketing mix for this summer and fallenrollment campaign. More than 200 spots have been running each week since March; theprogram ends May 17. “We want to drive young cable viewers to our website to find outmore information about our career/technical programs as well as the benefits of FRCC asan important first step toward a four‐year degree,” says Marian Maharas, FRCC’s director ofmarketing.

Machining, HVAC, Automotive, and Manufacturing and Energy Technology

One ad focuses on FRCC career/technical education (CTE) programs including machining;heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; automotive; and manufacturing and energytechnology.

 

Cybersecurity, GIS, Programming, Web development, and HIT

A second highlights CTE high‐tech programs—cybersecurity, geographic informationsystems, health information technology, and computer programming and webdevelopment.

 

Transfer

A third targets high school seniors and both unemployed and underemployed adults whomay be interested in starting their four‐year degrees at FRCC. It emphasizes the college’spersonalized attention, small classes, caring instructors, and financial benefits.

Marian says placement was carefully selected to run the ads in the markets serving FRCCcampuses that offer the specific programs highlighted in them. The transfer ad is runningin all of the markets.

The cable channels chosen include Comedy Central, E!, ABC Family, FX, MTV, Nickelodeon,Spike, TBS, TLC, and the Cartoon Network, whose viewership fits FRCC’s targetdemographic.

Where Value Meets Values: The Economic Impact ofCommunity Colleges

Recent news coverage highlights a 2014 American Association ofCommunity Colleges (AACC) study indicating that the net totalimpact of community colleges on the U.S. economy was $809 billionin 2012—equal to 5.4 percent of the nation’s gross domesticproduct.

The AACC points out that anyone who has studied at a communitycollege enters or re‐enters the workforce with new skills. Millionsof these students are working across the country today. When theyapply those skills, they are rewarded with higher incomes. Theyalso raise business profits through their increased productivity.Together, these higher incomes and increased profits create evenmore income as they are spent in the U.S. economy.

The report’s Executive Summary states: “America’s community colleges play a key role inhelping students increase their employability and achieve their individual potential.However, the contributions of community colleges consist of more than just influencingthe lives of students. The colleges serve a range of industries in the U.S. and supplybusinesses with skilled workers. Society as a whole benefits from an expanded economyand improved quality of life. The benefits created by community colleges extend as far asthe national treasury, in the form of increased tax revenues and public sector savings.”

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