Madisonville Messenger

Madisonville Community College's Fulfilling the Promise gifts campaign is "very close" to its $5 million goal, said Director of Development John Peters.

Two new gifts to the fundraising campaign were announced last week.

One of the gifts, from the estate of Irene Sadler, is a "lead gift" valued at $190,000. Richard and Phyllis Frymire of Madisonville have committed to a five-year gift at the "major level," meaning it's valued at $20,000 or more. The exact amount of the pledge was not released.

Sadler, who was a lifelong resident of Greenville, left money that will be used for academics and student support services on the Muhlenberg campus. Initially, the gift will be used to pay for tutorial services in language arts, sciences and mathematics in the local learning lab.

"In recognition of this gift, we have placed a plaque honoring Mrs. Sadler next to the learning lab," said Dr. Judy Rhoads, MCC president. "The marker will be a permanent reminder of Irene's generosity, indeed a reminder of how generous this entire county has been to MCC over the past 30 years."

Endowment income will allow the college to increase the number of tutoring hours by about 1,200 annually.

The Frymires' pledge is designated mainly to the campaign's quality endowment, with a smaller percentage going to the annual "friends fund" at Glema Mahr Center for the Arts.

The quality endowment funds 10 to 12 projects each year, focusing on professional development, academic conferences and tuition support for employees furthering their education.

In making the pledge, the Frymires stressed the importance of the endowment's priority of promoting faculty excellence.

"We wanted to make a gift that promoted excellence in teaching and leadership," said Richard Frymire. "Dr. Rhoads and everyone at MCC have put together leadership-oriented training for students and faculty that promotes excellence in the classroom and community service. We wanted our gift to support this wonderful idea and also to continue supporting the Glema Center, which relies on continuing community support to keep its doors open and programming sound."

The college plans to make a later announcement regarding the naming of a permanent professional development-related series in the Frymires' honor.

The Fulfilling the Promise campaign will conclude with an April 20 celebration, Peters said. Money raised in the campaign goes to arts programs, academic support, quality endowment for technology and professional development, and scholarships.