KVCC Foundation Launches Annual Fund Campaign

The KVCC Foundation's annual fund drive is going on now. "There are many ways to invest for the future," said Foundation Executive Director Linda Depta. "One of the best ways to make an impact on the future is by investing in people, specifically students with financial needs at Kalamazoo Valley Community College."

Depta noted that the past two years have proven beyond a doubt that Kalamazoo Valley graduates are on the forefront of the regional economy. "The credentials earned by our students prepare them to fill in-demand careers in healthcare, skilled and professional trades, technology and new media or for transfer to four-year institutions," she said.

Keeping college affordable has always been a priority at Kalamazoo Valley, Depta said. Even with relatively low tuition and limited fees, many of the college's students apply for financial aid. More than three-quarters of our students attend college part-time; have at least one job and balance home and family life. A full 42% of our students receive some form of financial aid yet the need for financial assistance continues to grow.

Former Chicago resident Ishmael Klein is studying multimedia video at Kalamazoo Valley and was awarded the Miller-Davis Company Endowed Engineering Technology Scholarship. She has a 4.0 GPA and said receiving the scholarship was gratifying. "I'm grateful for it, absolutely," she said. "The scholarship helps me in tangible ways - it defrays the cost of tuition and books. Most of all, though, it tells me that people care about my success and want to be a part of it. I won't ever forget this. It means the world to me."

Student Robert Koss received a scholarship from the Construction Financial Management Association of Southwest Michigan. "The scholarship was a tremendous help," Koss said. "With me working part-time and being a full-time student, the financial stress is definitely there. The scholarship has put gas in my tank and helped me buy food when I needed it. It really has been very helpful."

Because of the generous support of donors, the KVCC Foundation is able to provide more than $540,000 annually for student scholarships. "Make an investment that will pay dividends far into the future," Depta said. "Please consider making a year-end gift to the KVCC Foundation's annual fund in support of student scholarships."

For giving options and more information about the KVCC Foundation, go to www.kvcc.edu/foundation.