The Messenger

Madisonville Community College's Fulfilling the Promise gifts campaign has passed the $4.2 million mark in cash gifts and multi-year pledges, according to an announcement from the development office.

This means the college has raised 84 percent of its announced $5 million goal. The amount raised by MCC is the largest campaign-related total in the Kentucky Community and Technical College System.

Recent campaign successes involve gifts to three main areas, said Development Director John Peters. These are pledges to the Glema Mahr Center for the Arts' endowment base, support of the School Counts work force initiative, and college foundation support of the college's Title III "Strengthening Institutions" grant.

"We had seen some really wonderful gifts come our way as a result of support of both the Glema Center and School Counts," said Peters. "I think that our communities agree with our intent of making this campaign one of permanence, one where each gift will make a continuing impact. Likewise, the foundation has stepped up to make sure our Title III program is successful. That grant is extremely important to help the college increase graduation rates."

Campaign General Chairman Steve Cox, president and CEO of First United Bank, praised the generosity of people in Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Crittenden and Webster counties.

"All of the communities in our six- to seven-county service region have a history of being supportive of MCC," Cox said. "We have scholarship endowments active in four counties, and over 160 students are served each year with private support. Fulfilling the Promise will only strengthen established college relationships."

Dr. Judy Rhoads, MCC president, is optimistic about the campaign.

"Our campaign objectives were supported by the community long before we announced any goal," she said. "These objectives have a direct benefit for our students, our manufacturers and our families. Also, we completed a very successful employee campaign prior to any major community solicitations, so our donors and friends know that we put our money where our mouth is. Over the past 15 months, our endowment base has increased by over $1 million."

The campaign will likely conclude by October, Peters said.

Main objectives yet to be completed include additions to the School Counts Endowment, funding for the Loman C. Trover Library endowment, and additional support for the Crittenden County Endowment for Excellence.