Madisonville Community College's Development Office has announced that the "Fulfilling the Promise" Gifts Campaign, initiated in early 2002, has surpassed the $4.2 million dollar mark in cash gifts and multi-year pledges.

This milestone represents 84% of the campaign's announced goal of $5 million, and keeps the college on track to complete the campaign's main community divisions by late summer of this year. The $4.2 million total also represents the largest campaign-related total in the entire Kentucky Community & Technical College System (KCTCS).

According to Campaign Manager John Peters, recent campaign successes involve gifts to three main areas; pledges to the Glema Mahr Center's endowment base, support of the School Counts workforce 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" says 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."

The campaign's general chairman, Steve Cox, President & CEO of First United Bank, sees the campaign's success as an extension of the generosity shown over and over by people in Hopkins, Muhlenberg, Crittenden, and Webster Counties.

"All of the communities in our 6-7 county service region have a history of being supportive of MCC," Cox states. "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."

MCC President Dr. Judy Rhoads is also optimistic about increased opportunities. "Our campaign objectives were supported by the community long before we announced any goal. 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 already increased by over $1 million."

The campaign will likely conclude by October 2005. The main objectives yet to complete 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.