News from Pueblo Community College and the PCC Foundation
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2015/16
PCCF Scholarship Opportunities Now Open
The Pueblo Community College Foundation plans to award more than $350,000 in scholarships to applicants across the school's service area during the upcoming academic year.
                               
Joe Welte, President of the Pueblo Community College Foundation announced earlier this month that the PCC Foundtion scholarships will be awarded based on merit, educational interests and financial need.

"Each scholarship has its own set of guidelines for the application and selection process," explained Welte.  "The application is available now on PCC's website at www.puebloccfoundation.org".

The PCC Foundation will be hosting information sessions in the Pueblo campus' Learning Center, where students will be able to receive helpful tips which may be utilized when applying for scholarships as well as assistance with completing the application. For information on these special sessions, contact Bianca Flores at 549-3314..
 
The Pueblo Community College Foundation Scholarship Program supports students at all four campuses of Pueblo Community College including Pueblo, Fremont, Durango and Cortez/Mancos. 

Founded in 1933, Pueblo Community College is a premier teaching institution focused on providing academic and service excellence to help its students acquire the 21st Century skills needed to better their lives. An educational and technological leader, PCC fosters economic development and utilizes strong partnerships in the communities it serves through its Pueblo, Fremont and Southwest campuses.

Community members wanting to become involved with the PCC Foundation scholarship program should contact the PCC Foundation at 549-3314.
 
For information on the Pueblo Community College Foundation scholarship program, please visit the PCCF website at http://puebloccfoundation.org.

PCC's Student Pantry

Celebrates First Year of Operation
First year anniversary celebration will take place on February 19. 

One year ago this month, the Associated Student Government at Pueblo Community College wondered what kind of response it was going to receive from students as it opened a new food pantry for them on campus. After one year of operation, the numbers are in and all concerns about whether the pantry would be used have been put to bed.

 

Since it opened on Feb. 4, 2014, the Panther Student Pantry has served 1,092 students at least one time for a total of 3,671 visits. It has distributed more than 3,000 pounds of food per month, with 25,107 pounds having been purchased through a partnership with the Care and Share food bank.

 

Located in a large storage closet in PCC's Learning Center, the pantry is open 1-5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays weekly when the college is in session. One time per week, PCC students with a valid student ID card are able to pick out six free non-perishable food items, a personal hygiene product and, when available, perishable produce items in larger amounts. The average student leaves the pantry with more than seven pounds of food per visit.

 

Student Government has spent more than $5,000 to purchase food, and additional support has been provided through food/personal hygiene drives conducted by PCC departments, classes, clubs and employee groups. Also, the pantry has received roughly $2,500 in cash donations from individuals as well as organizations such as the PCC Foundation, El Pomar Foundation, KR Swerdfeger Construction, LeGree's Market, Safeway Stores of Coloradoand many others within the community who are committed to this program to help the students at PCC.

 

In addition, several companies have conducted food drives at their sites, including Express Employment Professionals, HUB International, the Credit Union of Colorado and Sunflower Bank. The corporate partner this month is The Pueblo Chieftain, and a food drive in March will be conducted by the Pueblo Athletic Club. Safeway has contributed a gift card.

 

The pantry was first opened partially to help students avoid experiencing food insecurity after a survey of PCC students determined a real need for such a free service. Another factor was a Thanksgiving food basket drive that ASG conducted in November 2013 when it gave out 300 turkeys and pies, 200 of which were in full Thanksgiving baskets that were given out in three hours on the first day of distribution, with the remaining food items gone in four hours on the second day.

 

The pantry is operated by ASG, thus representing a true "students helping students" project. The partnership with the Care and Share ensures that ASG follows current standards for food pantry services, including ServSafe training.

 

PCC initially stocked the Pantry through donations from students, faculty and staff along with an ASG purchase from Care and Share. Three sites on campus have been designated as regular drop-off locations for product donations, and there are two drop boxes for monetary donations.

 

Care and Share is the sole food bank in a 31-county, 52,000-square-mile region of Southern Colorado feeding families since 1974. Its mission is "to bridge the gap between hunger and abundance," and it serves as the hub for food distribution to more than 340 partner agencies.

 

Care and Share also is a member of Feeding America, the nation's largest nonprofit organization committed to hunger relief. In 2013, Care and Share distributed more than 18.6 million pounds of food. More information on the Care and Share program is available at www.careandshare.org.

 

On Feb. 19, a special anniversary program and awards ceremony will take from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on site in the PCC Learning Center near the pantry's entranceway. Everyone is invited to attend the festivities.  Admission to the celebration is a non-perishable food item.  The Learning Center is in the lower level of the Davis Academic Building, located at the corner of Orman Avenue and Arthur Street.

 
2015 Pueblo Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Slated for March 6
Do Not Delay - Book Your Reservation Today!

Reservations are now being accepted for the 25th Annual Pueblo Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony which will take place on Friday, March 6 at Pueblo Community College's Fortino Ballroom.  The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. and guests will be treated to a cocktail reception and silent auction.  Dinner will take place at 7:00 p.m. and the formal induction ceremony will take place at 8:00 p.m.


 

Reservations are currently open for this very special event which will pay tribute to three outstanding community leaders:


Pueblo Hall of Fame organizers are anticipating a sell-out crowd for this year's event.  Anyone interested in participating with this year's event (as a sponsor, auction donor or guest) should contact the PCC Foundation for sponsorship, donation and/or reservation information.
 

2015 Inductees
 

Eddie & Neta DeRose
Dr. Eddie and Neta DeRose are passionate about Pueblo, Colorado.
 

Born and raised in Pueblo, Eddie and Neta both attended  Pueblo Junior College.  Eddie was a standout on the PJC Football Team during the 1950's, before graduating and heading off to  Creighton University's Dental School. 
 

Eddie and Neta  are founding members of Friends of Football, a group of local supporters who helped raise money to reinstate football, wrestling and women's track and field at CSU-Pueblo. To honor Eddie and Neta, Friends of Football decided to name the new football facility at CSU-Pueblo after them. The home for the ThunderWolves, for now and forever, is named the Neta and Eddie DeRose ThunderBowl.
 

The couple's philanthropy is great.  They are not only benefactors to CSU-Pueblo.  The couple has given money to the local YMCA to help build a new day care center, Pueblo Community College, as well as numerous youth groups and sports teams.
 

Sollie Raso

Sollie Raso was raised in Denver, CO.   Following graduation from college, Sollie enlisted in the military and became a B-17 bombardier in WWII.


After serving in the military, Sollie moved to Pueblo in 1947 and became a teacher and coach at Central High School. He advanced to become the principal at Central High School and held that position for twelve years before taking on the role of Director of Activities for District 60 until his retirement.


Sollie served as the President of the Colorado High School Activities Association in 1970-71 and received numerous honors from local, state and national professional organizations. He also served two terms as a Pueblo County Commissioner beginning in 1984.


About the Pueblo Hall of Fame

In 1991, the Pueblo Hall of Fame was established to honor individuals who, by their extraordinary effort, have contributed to the betterment or enhancement of Pueblo. Nominees are considered on the basis of contributions in the following areas: all facets of education; business and labor; arts and humanities; philanthropy; government; law; science and technology; and health and human services.

 

Since its inception, 69 outstanding community leaders have been inducted into the Pueblo Hall of Fame. Following the March 6 ceremony, 72 individuals will grace the "Wall of Fame" which is located within the Pueblo Community College's Fortino Ballroom.

 

About the Beneficiary

Proceeds from the Pueblo Hall of Fame benefit the Pueblo Community College Foundation

 

Established in 1981, the Pueblo Community College Foundation has supported learning for thousands of students.  As education plays out on each of the PCC campuses, the PCC Foundation is committed to work with the College to bring about positive changes to the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

 

The Foundation's mission is to provide funding to Pueblo Community College and its students through Foundation-approved fundraising activities for student scholarships and special needs as identified by the College. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised over $15 million to support Pueblo Community College; its students and its programs of academic excellence.   

 

The PCC Foundation is honored to have the opportunity to work with alumni, businesses, community organizations and other grantors; each of whom are committed to lending their financial support to our Foundation with the intent of advancing all aspects of Pueblo Community College. 
 

PUEBLO HALL OF FAME SPONSORSHIP LEVELS

Diamond � $5,000

(Corporate Table/20 Guest plus exclusive extras)
 

Emerald � $2,500

(Corporate Table/10 Guests)


 

Sapphire � $1,500

(Table/6 Guests)


 

Pearl � $600

(Table/4 Guests)


 

Opal � $250

(Table/2 Guests)
 

Individual Reservation � $85/Person

Black Tie Optional


 

RSVP by Friday, February 27, 2015

Call 719.549.3302 or make reservations online at http://puebloccfoundation.org 


 

 

Pueblo Community College Foundation

900 W. Orman Avenue - AB194

Pueblo, CO 81004

719.549.3303

http://puebloccfoundation.org