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At more than a half million dollars, PCC Foundation Gala breaks own record in fundraising
Photos and story by James Hill
It was a record-breaking night for the Portland Community College Foundation.
The philanthropic arm of the college hosted its sixth annual gala and raised a record $514,000 for scholarships and success initiatives. With the theme, “Grand Lodge,” the PCC Foundation’s “An Evening for Opportunity” Gala attracted nearly 500 attendees on April 22 at Pure Space in Northwest Portland. Funds raised will help hundreds of PCC students, many being the first in their families to attend college, and with deep financial need, to be supported in their academic pursuits.
“It’s our community of supporters that sustain our scholarship and support programs, which make a difference in the lives of our students, their families and future generations,” said Marion Levitan, PCC Foundation Board President.
The PCC Foundation recognized Betty Duvall with its 2017 Patron Award Winner that evening for her work in education and longtime support of student success. Duvall is a professor emerita at Oregon State University, but has spent most of her career as a community college administrator, and 20 years as a dean, including at PCC. In 1995, she was appointed as the first-ever Community College Liaison for the U.S. Department of Education. Since her retirement, she has served as president of the PCC Foundation Board of Directors and is a member of the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission.
The PCC Foundation is a nonprofit organization that expands access to education by funding scholarships and educational programs that support students at Portland Community College, the largest higher education institution in Oregon.
Please extend my congratulations to the lady who hired me in 1972. I thought it was going to be a short term job but it turned into a 38 year career with St. Louis Community College. I’ll remain silent about the pats on the behind lo these many years ago. Best Wishes.