Page 84 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2022

GIVING BACK
MGCCC Foundation
Giving the Gift of Education story and photos courtesy of MGCCC
Investing in higher education for yourself
and others is always a great idea. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College offers a wide variety of financial aid for students through the college’s Foundation, which ensures funds are available to students whose needs are greatest. Helping the Foundation continue its mission
is a great way for you to give back this holiday season.
“The MGCCC Foundation is proud to
offer our students many opportunities to
fund their academic success,” said Dr. Suzi Brown, executive vice president of Institutional Advancement.
From offering scholarship opportunities to helping provide dress clothing and expenses
for students to participate in professional organizations and competitions, the Foundation is focused on meeting student needs. MGCCC Foundation scholarships for this past year exceeded $675,000, with most student- awardees paying little or no tuition while at Gulf Coast.
There is still more to do and many more students who need support. The Foundation continues to meet and exceed goals during annual fundraisers like the Scholarship Gala. In fact, last year’s Gala, held at the Immersive Media Performing Arts Center on the Harrison County Campus, raised $540,000 for student scholarships. The event featured the MGCCC Tri-Campus choir and honored donors who contributed at various sponsorship levels.
Students supported through these scholarships include students like Spanish major Maya Coleman of Ocean Springs, who received
the Willis H. Lott Scholarship for Excellence. “Throughout my journey at Gulf Coast, I have witnessed firsthand how MGCCC supports their students and how they further enable our success.”
Errol McDonald, a Physical Therapy Assistant major from Perkinston, received the Rausch, Emilie Marie Stapp Scholarship. “The scholarship alleviated my financial burden and allowed me to finish my educational dream of becoming a physical therapist assistant. I’m thankful for everyone who gave to the Foundation; I am incredibly grateful for the generosity in helping me reach my goals.”
These scholarships are among the many offered through the Foundation. In existence since 1974, the Foundation continues to work with employees, the community, and alumni to grow or enhance existing funds and establish new funds that support Gulf Coast students.
“We know there are still so many other potential students out there who are not attending college because they cannot afford it,” said Brown. “We want to help students overcome financial barriers preventing them from continuing their education. Each donation helps make that happen for more individuals, which ultimately helps our community become stronger.”
Errol McDonald.
Maya Coleman.
For more information on giving to the MGCCC Foundation, visit mgccc.edu/mgccc-foundation or contact Dr. Brown at suzana.brown@mgccc.edu or 601.528.8480.
84 | December 2022
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