March board meeting highlights

During the March 27 Tri-C Foundation Board meeting, the directors recognized major contributions that continue campus food pantry transformations: the Rosskamm Family, and Meisel and Pesses Family Foundation.

A $322,000 commitment from Alan and Barbara Rosskamm is revamping the Tri-C Eastern Campus Food Pantry. The newly equipped and expanded pantry will have the capacity to better to meet student need and is expected to open in Fall 2024.

Alan Rosskamm is a Tri-C trustee and was CEO of Breakthrough Public Schools, a network of Cleveland nonprofit charter schools, for 12 years, retiring in 2021. He was president and CEO of Jo-Ann Stores (1985 – 2006) and served on its board of directors until 2011. Barbara Rosskamm is a social worker who had worked in foster care programming and supervised a boys residential treatment program at Bellefaire. During her 20-plus years as an Alzheimer’s Association volunteer, she managed a caseload of patients.

A $250,000 commitment from Meisel & Pesses Family Foundation provides immediate use dollars to stock the Eastern Campus Food Pantry upon renovation. The gift also establishes an endowed fund to generate income for future operations. The Meisel & Pesses Family Foundation has supported Tri-C students, primarily through scholarships, since 2005, helping to reduce the financial burden for more than 1,100 students. The Meisel Family Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 2017. Pictured above with Dr. Michael Baston are (from left) Tri-C Foundation board chairperson Pat Pastore, Alan and Barbara Rosskamm, and Peter Meisel.

During the meeting, four new directors were welcomed (pictured top from left): Mitchell G. Blair, Firm Vice Chair, Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP; Eric M. Fiala, Executive Vice President Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer, KeyBank & CEO, KeyBank Foundation; Delores (Lola) Garcia, Partner, Co-Group Leader, Business Litigation, UB Greensfelder LLP; and Kate Hubben, Vice President, NFP. The board also thanked and recognized Jon Pinney, Managing Partner, KJK for his service, as he retired from the board. He has been a member since 2013.

A panel discussion highlighted multiple ways Tri-C offers resources and support to students beyond scholarships and traditional financial aid. Melanie Majikas, Executive Director, Development Services moderated the panel featuring Dee Logan-Cosme, Executive Director of Financial Aid; Jacques Smith, Program Manager, Black American Council; and Paige Crawford, Program Manager, Student Basic Needs. External philanthropic support is so crucial to offering these financial resources to students, as well as resources through the food pantries and Student Emergency Fund.

Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton Foundation Board Scholar hones new skills at Tri-C

Mayara Sant’Anna de Souza, is studying Information Technology Business Solutions, looking to apply for an MBA in business or data analytics after graduation. The Dr. Jerry Sue Thornton Board Scholar is originally from Brazil, and a goal of studying in the U.S. is to improve her English proficiency. She is a member of the Honors Program, part of the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Scholars Academy, and Hispanic Council.

“When I first visited Tri-C’s campus, people were so friendly and helpful that it made me feel like I belonged here,” she told the board. “I come from humble beginnings, where financial struggles often overshadowed our aspirations. I believe the perseverance and the determination to follow my dreams comes from my mother, who always told my brother and me that knowledge is the only thing people cannot take away from you. My brother and I were the first people to get a bachelor’s degree in our family.”

She added “Your support, engagement, and encouragement mean a lot, not only to me but for many other students. None of this would be possible without the support of so many people at Tri-C, and the scholarships I have received through the generous donors of the Tri-C Foundation.”

The 8th annual Tri-C Day of Giving is April 10, 2024!

It's all about building brighter futures for our students. Your support for scholarships and programs ensures every student can thrive and pursue their dreams. Sign up as an advocate today and find your toolkit here. Thank you for your support!

New veterans’ scholarship honors longtime faculty member

A generous anonymous donor has committed to establish an endowed scholarship fund in memory of a longtime faculty member. Once fully funded, the Dr. George N. Plavac Scholarship Fund will give preference to a veteran or active-duty member of the United States military who is pursuing a degree in business or paralegal studies. Other eligible students will demonstrate outstanding academic achievement with a GPA of 3.5 or higher and demonstrated leadership in school or the community. The late Dr. Plavac taught business law and economics at Western Campus in the late 1960s and retired in 2010. It is an honor to remember him through this scholarship.

Fifth Third Bank partners visit with tomorrow’s entrepreneurs

Dana Capers, Vice President, Community & Economic Development, Fifth Third Bank, visited Corporate College East to learn more about the new Center for Entrepreneurs. A tour included a stop in the new podcast studio, followed by dinner with the students participating in the class. Participants shared their 30-second elevator speech about their product, plans, and new business ideas. They all thanked Dana for this opportunity.

Fifth Third Bank sponsored the Discovery Track pilot course, which helped 25 participants build their entrepreneurship skills through facilitated, hands-on learning exercises. Dana thanked them for their passion to be entrepreneurs and the work they are doing for their new business. She stated that Fifth Third is proud to support them.

Margaret Wong recognized among Notable Women in Law

Congratulations to Margaret Wong J.D., among Crain’s 2024 Notable Women in Law.

Wong joined the Tri-C Foundation board of directors in 1993, and today is its longest-serving director. The renowned immigration attorney is a sponsor for the Presidential Scholarship Luncheon and JazzFest.

Wong established the Margaret Wong Endowed Scholarship Fund in 2010 for Tri-C students who are immigrants or children of immigrants. The College awarded Wong an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in 2017.

Girl Scouts honor Women of Distinction

Congratulations to Helen Forbes Fields, J.D., Tri-C Board of Trustees chairperson, and Shelly Cayette Weston, both Tri-C Foundation directors. They will be recognized as a Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio Women of Distinction on May 16. This award is presented to those who go above and beyond to make the community a better place.

Forbes Fields has served on the Tri-C Board of Trustees since 2015. She currently serves as the president of the YWCA Greater Cleveland and was previously the executive vice president and general counsel for the United Way of Greater Cleveland. Before her nonprofit leadership roles, she spent more than 30 years practicing law with Forbes, Fields & Associates.

Cayette Weston has served on the Tri-C Foundation Board of Directors since 2017. She is executive vice president and chief commercial officer at the Cleveland Cavaliers. With the 2022 promotion, she became the first Black woman to hold this executive leadership role with an NBA team. She previously served as vice president of Global Corporate Partnerships and other senior roles. Prior to joining the Cavs, the Louisiana native served in director roles at the New Orleans Hornets overseeing community outreach.

Keep up with Dr. Baston through Momentum, highlighting Tri-C happenings.

Tri-C Day, April 10

Frances Franklin Luncheon Friday, May 3, 11:30 am - 1 pm, Corporate College East

Tri-C Spring Commencement Friday, May 17, at 3 p.m. at the Wolstein Center at Cleveland State University.

JazzFest: June 20-22

Tri-C Foundation Full Board of Directors Meeting Wednesday, June 13, noon - 1:10 pm, Corporate College East

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