Page 3 - 030-16 Focus Fall 2015

from the president
As I begin my second term as President of the Yavapai College Foundation (YCF), I am again heartened to see the positive difference YCF is making in the lives of hundreds of deserving Yavapai College students.
Sandy and I were very inspired by the new summer Lead scholarship program designed by Yavapai College (YC) to remove barriers to postsecondary education faced by disadvantaged students here
in Yavapai County (see cover story). We were
most impressed that YCF could be so nimble and resourceful to provide, on very short notice from YC, more than $66,000 to fund the first year of
this program. We were also pleased that the first distribution from our new $100,000 Perry and Sandy Massie President’s Discretionary Scholarship Endowment was allocated to the Lead program.
We also wanted to look for ways that we could extend our support for another of our charitable passions, Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters (YBBBS). Specifically, we wanted to provide YC scholarships for “Littles” that were turning 18 years old and aging out of their formal relationship with their “Bigs.” With much appreciated help from YCF staff, we established
the $100,000 YBBBS Scholarship. This summer, scholarships were awarded to two YBBBS Littles. YBBBS has agreed to extend their matches while they attend classes at YC. In addition, each recipient had financial needs beyond these scholarships and Sandy and I were pleased to be in a position to cover their room and board expenses.
We again strengthened our Board of Directors for this new fiscal year and beyond with the addition of Anne Barton, Judy Egan, Don Michelman, Howard Moody, and Russ Potter. Together, they bring a wealth of business leadership and management experience
to YCF.
During the past fiscal year we also established 12 new, named, endowed scholarships. These are now invested and earning interest, and will soon provide
more new student scholarships. This kind of steady progress will allow us to attain our long-term goal of providing YCF scholarships to every eligible student who applies. These new endowed scholarship funds supported a wide variety of YC educational programs, including Allied Health and Nursing, Instrumental Music, Student Research, Early Childhood Education, and Viticulture and Enology.
We added 14 new Legacy League members during the year bringing the total Legacy League to 169 people and growing. These are individuals who have designated YC as a recipient of a gift from their estate when they pass. This year, two of those gifts matured, totaling $82,000.
I offer my heartfelt thank you to the hundreds of donors listed in this year’s Honor Roll of Donors!
I also invite you to join the growing family of YCF supporters and invest in the future of our students, faculty, and exceptional educational programs. Please consider volunteering with one of our auxiliaries, endowing a new student scholarship, enjoying a show in the beautiful YC Performing Arts Center or becoming a member of the Legacy League. There are so many ways to help YCF improve the quality of life for everyone in Yavapai County.
Perry Massie
YCF Board President
www.yc.edu/ycf • Fall 2015 1