This content was published: May 21, 2018. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC Foundation breaks record, raising nearly $610,000 at annual gala
Photos and story by James Hill
Left to right, Howard Butzer and Robert Wimmer receive the Patron Award from Mark Mitsui, PCC president.
It was a record-breaking night for the Portland Community College Foundation.
The philanthropic division of the college hosted its seventh annual gala on Saturday, May 19, raising a record $609,757 for scholarships and success initiatives – nearly $100,000 more than last year. With the theme, “Kick Up a Storm for Student Success,” the PCC Foundation’s “An Evening for Opportunity” Gala attracted more than 480 attendees to the event held at the Downtown Portland Hilton Hotel. 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.
Mark Mitsui prepares for ‘The Gala Storm.’
“The gala was sensational and a true transformation of opportunity for student success,” said PCC Foundation Board Chair Susie Lahsene, recently retired senior manager for transportation and land use policy for the Port of Portland.
To cap the evening, the PCC Foundation recognized Howard Butzer and Robert Wimmer with its 2018 Patron Award. The college awards this honor to people or organizations that have made a significant contribution to PCC to ensure access to education for students. Wimmer and Butzer, partners for 30-plus years, decided to create scholarships for students who need extra financial support in order to attend college. In addition to supporting scholarships in their names, the two have also included the PCC Foundation in their estate plans as members of the Amo DeBarnardis Legacy Society.
“Every dollar raised helps change the life of a student, and you could certainly tell from the student stories that the return on this investment is high,” said PCC President Mark Mitsui.
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.
Student speaker Sofia Velasquez.
About James Hill
James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, is the Director of Public Relations at Portland Community College. A graduate of Portland State University, James has worked as a section editor for the Newberg Graphic... more »
Bravo to all! The support of the community is paramount to our mission. This is welcome news.