Washington State Community College

Foundation - Annual Fund

More students depend on community colleges to revitalize careers, learn new skills, find jobs, and cut the cost of a baccalaureate degree.

In fact, community colleges educate about 43% of all U.S. undergraduates and play a vital role in local economies.

Students + College + Community = Success

Washington State Community College supports and promotes educational development, community development, workforce development, and economic development in Southeastern Ohio. To achieve these goals, the College actively encourages student success and builds collaborative community relationships that help sustain, assist, and develop an educated, productive workforce.

Public + Private Support = Opportunity

A variety of area and regional people, businesses, and organizations are already supporting Washington State Community College. Thanks to their generosity, the Washington State Community College Foundation (WSCCF) has established 42 scholarships and has made 264 scholarship awards in the past eight years.

• AEP Ohio Scholarship for science and engineering
• Individuals, Ohio Farm Bureau Foundation and the Farm Credit Services of Mid-America gifts to construct an AgriLab
• Washington County Department of Job and Family Services grant-in-aid scholarships
• The Washington State Community College Foundation Board's Student Emergency Fund for unexpected needs
• Washington State faculty and staff generously "give back" to their institution. For instance, College president Dr. Bradley Ebersole and Mrs. Gail Ebersole have already established a new scholarship, the President's Scholarship for Leadership and Development.

Foundation + Support = Education

Founded in 2003 the Foundation began operations in 2004 to generate new resources in support of the College's mission, its institutional goals, and its students. Gifts to the Foundation also help the College achieve its long-range goals in the community.

In eight years, the Foundation has:

• Established 42 scholarships
• Made 264 scholarship awards totaling $221,465
• Built a scholarship endowment in excess of $600,000
• Provided nearly $311,000 in support to fund supported programs such as the Evergreen Arts & Humanities Series, the Student Emergency Fund, academic program student assistance funds, and others
• Supported institutional initiatives and needs, program enhancements, and capital improvements by providing the College nearly $330,000
• Provided more than $30,000 in direct support to students for course-required equipment, tutoring, childcare, licensing examinations, fingerprinting and background checks, uniforms, and textbooks

Annual Fund + Gifts = Impact

Through the Annual Fund, individuals and organizations in the community make financial contributions that will help support Foundation initiatives, College programs and capital improvements that enrich the educational experiences of Washington State students.

• Defray the cost of education for those who need financial assistance
• Provide new facilities and educational equipment
• Sponsor student leadership training and educational travel opportunities
• Keep at-risk students in college
• Support free arts and cultural events for the community
• Secure the future through deferred gifts 

Gifts + Education = Dreams Come True

The primary goal for the 2012 Annual Fund is to raise unrestricted funds to meet the institutional needs of Washington State Community College and the various needs of its students.

• Foundation board member John Greacen presented the Nursing Program with a human simulator — an extraordinary and life-like learning tool for the health sciences program
• During the past academic year, 51 scholarships were awarded to qualified WSCC students
• Thanks to the Foundation's Student Emergency Fund, $6,500 in outright financial gifts enabled 18 students to continue their studies without interruption during difficult financial or personal times
• College president Dr. Bradley J. Ebersole and Mrs. Gail Ebersole established a new scholarship, the President's Scholarship for Leadership and Development, that rewards academic excellence, encourages degree completion, and recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding leadership potential.
• Total gifts received during the 2011 Annual Fund greatly exceeded expectations, an indication of community support for WSCC, its students, and its mission.
• 100% of Foundation board members contributed to the Foundation in 2011.

About 85% of all Washington State students remain in the area after graduation to work, support their families, and contribute to their communities.

• Educational programs at Washington State are designed to lead directly to employment. Since about 85% of all Washington State students remain in the area after graduation, the futures of the College, its students, and our community affect each other.
• For students seeking baccalaureate and graduate degrees, Washington State Community College provides affordable, convenient access to higher education and professional careers. Through the transferability of course credits in 10 academic programs, Washington State students have ready access to the university system in Ohio. The Foundation has scholarships available to graduates seeking a baccalaureate degree.
• To meet changing needs, the College offers flexible learning options, including online degrees and courses, while continually developing new programs.
• Cultural enrichment through quality entertainment and educational programs are offered free to the community through the Evergreen Arts & Humanities Series.

Here are just a few other examples of community support:

• To date, the Foundation has provided nearly $900,000 to the College and its students for scholarships, programs, direct support to students, and to meet institutional needs.
• Donors may designate their gifts to a specific fund, scholarship, or purpose. However, the Foundation Board respectfully requests that donors to the 2012 Annual Fund consider designating their gifts for "Greatest Need" as determined by the Board.
• Regardless of amount, every gift to the 2012 Annual Fund will directly impact the College and its students by helping:
• Regardless of the amount of the gift, each and every single gift to the Foundation makes an immediate impact on the lives of students and the future of the College.

Seventy percent of Washington State students receive some form of financial assistance. Of those, many have full- or part-time jobs and are raising families while going to school. Even students without loans and grants frequently find there is little money left for books, course equipment, uniforms, and computers after paying their tuition. Without the generosity of donors who understand the life-long value of quality education, many Washington State students would have been unable to afford attending college, continue in their degree or certificate programs, and graduate. The College and its students succeed when we help sustain essential programs and services. Support already comes from people, businesses and organizations which understand the importance of professional and career education to our economy and the future of our community.

How to Give

For more information about supporting the Washington State Community College Foundation's 2012-2013 Annual Fund Campaign – Support Sustain Succeed – please call the Foundation at 740-568-1940, email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or write to Washington State Community College Foundation, 710 Colegate Drive, Marietta, OH 45750. For more information about the annual fund, please visit the website at http://www.supportsustainsucceed.org.