Scholarship Endowment Established with Pace-Setting Gift from Kyong and Fred Anderson

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (October 20, 2003) - Hopkinsville Community College announced today that the institution is initiating a Fulfilling the Promise major gifts campaign. Dr. Bonnie L. Rogers, HCC President/CEO, made the announcement as part of a statewide kickoff via interactive television (ITV) involving all 16 college districts of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS).

According to college officials, HCC's local fund-raising efforts will center on three primary projects: restricted endowments (scholarships, academic support, technology, and library support), unrestricted endowments, and seed funds for a proposed student services facility.

At the event, Kyong and Fred Anderson were recognized for making the first Lead Gift toward the Campaign. The first major gift committed to the campaign established a new scholarship endowment. The Anderson Endowment, created with an investment of $100,000, will provide scholarships for students who have demonstrated the potential for achieving academic excellence. The college's existing scholarship selection committee will make the annual award determinations.

"Spending distributions from the perpetual investment will assist future generations of HCC students achieve their educational and vocational goals," said HCC President, Dr. Bonnie L. Rogers. "Scholarships support educational access, an important strategic priority on our campus. The Anderson's generosity has really jumpstarted our campaign efforts."

Kyong Cha Anderson, President/CEO of KCA Corporation in Hopkinsville, earned an associate in applied science degree in business technology from HCC in 1992. Since that time, Kyong has served as an ambassador on behalf of HCC. She is a member of the college's business technology program advisory committee and the Hopkinsville Community College Foundation, Inc.

"We hope our gift inspires others to invest in our community college," said Kyong Anderson. "HCC is an important resource for local students."

Since 1991, KCA Corporation has annually provided tuition scholarships for GED recipients and/or single parents attending the community college.

"For years, Wendy and Fred have demonstrated their belief in the value of education through philanthropy," said Rogers. "Over the years, the KCA scholarships have resulted in goals attained, potential reached, and lives changed. The newly-created Anderson Endowment will foster educational access for generations to come."

According to Rogers, initial steps leading toward a fund-raising campaign began nearly three years ago. In 2001, HCC conducted a Strategic Needs Analysis (SNA)/Strategic Visioning Process which represented a comprehensive look at the college's financial needs in relation to HCC's multi-year Strategic Plan. The analysis covered: student needs, physical facilities, equipment needs, program needs, faculty/staff enhancements, endowment, and other needs. Funding sources were thoroughly analyzed: institutional funds, grants, and private sector funds.

Three resulting priority lists for which institutional, public funds will be sought included: Facilities Maintenance and Renovation Needs ($20,000 - $50,000), Facilities Maintenance and Renovation Needs ($50,000 - $400,000), and Six Year Capital Plan. HCC will continue to seek to address these needs via internal reallocation efforts and requests through the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) prioritization process.

Projects identified for private sector funds were tested by The Clements Group, L.C. in a Feasibility Study conducted on behalf of the college in December 2001. The study involved 94 internal and external stakeholders of HCC and yielded valuable information to guide institutional planning.

The Feasibility Study recommended college "financial needs" to be addressed by private sector sources in a range of $3 to $5 million (not a goal...simply a recommended range for planning purposes). The study suggested that HCC consider a Campaign in the neighborhood of $3 to $5 million to address the identified need from private sector sources. The Feasibility Study outlined three initiatives receiving the most support: restricted endowments, unrestricted endowments, and the proposed student services facility.

The Feasibility Study recommended that 2002 be used as a 12-month planning period with an internal phase immediately following (national tragedy and economic circumstances influenced the ultimately recommended timeline).

In 2003 HCC conducted an internal "quiet phase" of the campaign (employee division; board division). The internal phase is wrapping up. The employee division generated over $34,000 in private contributions with 90% participation (135 of 150 employees). The board division will be completed by November. The October 20 announcement supports the college's move from a quiet phase to a more public phase.

A campaign "Case for Private Support" booklet, a campaign video on CD, a "Ways to Give" brochure, and a "Named Giving Opportunities" brochure are available that center on three main funding projects.

No official goal has been established to date. According to Rogers, the on-going Campaign process will ultimately dictate an official campaign goal in time. The college will likely announce an official goal close to the time a volunteer Campaign Chair is selected. However, no determination on an overall campaign chair has yet been made.