This content was published: April 14, 2015. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.
PCC Foundation Gala raises a record $425,000
Photos and story by James Hill
Portland Community College Foundation Board President Kimberly Cooper, president and CEO of the Fortuna Group, chats with Congressman Earl Blumenauer (left) and Executive Director of The Oregon Historical Society Kerry Tymchuk at the annual PCC Foundation Gala.
The PCC Foundation Gala themed “An Evening for Opportunity, Lunar Landing: A Space Age Gala,” raised a record $425,000 that will go toward student scholarships and success programs. The gala, which was held on Friday, April 10 at Pure Space in the Pearl District, featured 1960s space exploration as its theme and attracted more than 500 guests. Junki and Linda Yoshida, founders of locally based Yoshida Foods International, served as the honorary co-chairs.
A pillar of the gala was the celebration of the PCC Patron Award. This year’s recipients are Stephanie Fowler and Irving Levin of The Renaissance Foundation, a private philanthropic organization that creates educational opportunities, in part for first-generation, low-income students. The Patron Award honors a person or organization that has made a significant contribution to PCC to ensure access to education for students.
Through The Renaissance Foundation, Levin and Fowler support PCC’s Future Connect Scholarship Program by providing nearly 30 students with scholarships, mentoring and other supports essential to college success. They have also just launched a new mentoring program, the Cascade African Men’s Scholars Project, at the Cascade Campus in North Portland that matches 10 mentors with 30 students.
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 »
I have to say the PCC and its associates continue to prove to be extremely hip and cool. From custodian to dean, teacher to president, you guys color the days of our lives with wisdom and flare. Thank you!
And thank you to all financial contributors ^^!!!
Congratulations. It is my hope that some of the money raised can go to recruiting faculty of color. Your students would benefit from having instructors of color and different perspectives.