Foundation focuses on opportunities
by Jere Haney, reporter

    Dedicated to enhancing the educational opportunities at Tarrant County College, the TCC Foundation was reorganized this spring.

    Dr. Leonardo de la Garza, chancellor, and Kay Casey, executive director of the foundation, welcomed newly appointed board members in a ceremony May 22. The new board is comprised of a group of community leaders.

    The foundation board’s responsibility and focus is to grow, guide and allocate the foundation’s endowment fund, creating a self-sustaining foundation through corporate and private donations, sponsorships and gifts.

    “Though the foundation is in its infancy, we are hoping to start generating scholarships in the near future,” Casey said.

    The board of directors meets once a month, communicating ideas, staying focused on the needs of the foundation and planning strategies to increase the endowment of the foundation to meet the future needs of students and faculty of TCC.

    Foundation board members will gather Aug. 18 for a secluded Board Advancement retreat, where the directors will “brainstorm” and plan short-term and long-term strategies, build momentum and find ways to form long-term “natural partnerships” with past and potential monetary donors.

    Casey pointed out that the TCC foundation also provides opportunities for students to volunteer. Interested students can call her or Nancy Berger, administrative secretary, at 817-515-5377.

    One idea is to start a TCC Alumni Association. There were 70,000 students taking classes at TCC campuses last year. The college, previously known as Tarrant County Junior College, has been teaching students since 1967.

    When the math is done, one realizes a huge opportunity for former, present and future students to help out the college and give something back to their first institution of higher learning. A TCC Alumni Association with members that increase the TCC Foundation Endowment Fund would underscore the value of community college education, Casey said.

    For more information about the TCC foundation endowment fund, its board of directors and ways that people and corporations can donate gifts, contact Casey at 817-515-5377.