2001-2002 Highlights
Annual Meeting
Despite its unfortunate timing in the direct aftermath of the September 11th tragedies, this year’s September 12th meeting proceeded as scheduled. Although a considerable damper was placed on the event, it was nearly impossible to overlook the enormous successes of the previous year.
Board members reflected on the many successes of the past fiscal year. The Ansel Adams Exhibition and Black Tie Gala and the help of its donors were recognized as a testament to the immense growth experienced by the Foundation.
All of these accomplishments were rounded out by the announcement of increased scholarship support, with the unprecedented amount of $78,033 awarded to Housatonic students. This was all underscored by Dr. Hadley’s announcement the HCC is presently third in enrollment growth in Northeastern community colleges.
Louise Gaudet Donation
The Foundation was pleased to receive a gift from the estate of Dr.
E. Louise Gaudet. The gift, which was presented by Gaudet’s stepdaughter,
Adele Clark, will directly support the Housatonic Museum of Art and
its cultural interaction with the College and the communities it serves.
The Museum was selected due to its accessibility and openness in providing
an artistic outlet to the community. The generous gift will allow for
an expansion of art education outreach programs and the current conservation
program. Further, the gift will help continue the Housatonic tradition
of an admission-free gallery.
Robbin Zella, director of the Housatonic Museum of Art, described the
importance of this gift saying, “This generous gift is vital to
us because as a cultural resource, we can now expand out art education
outreach programs, particularly for children, as we continue to provide
exceptional exhibitions that are all open and free to the public.”
Per Scholas Computer
Crucial in today’s world is accessibility to technology. This past year, the Per Scholas organization and the HCC Foundation were able to make that access easier for HCC students. Through a joint venture with Per Scholas and the Foundation, refurbished, internet ready computer systems were made available for a reduced, affordable price. Per Scholas, which aims to provide affordable technology to schools and non-profits, has allowed Housatonic students the ability to get ahead through this invaluable and empowering program.
Pillar of the Community Awards Dinner
This year, the HCC Foundation chose to honor four HCC achievers, through the Foundation’s Pillar of the Community Award. The event, which took place on the 21st of March, showcased the accomplishments of three HCC alums Gregg Dancho, Diane L. Nunn, the Honorable Edward J. Rodriguez, and former HCC student Susan Sharp.
Sponsored by Aquarion Water Company of Connecticut (formerly known
as BHC), the event took place at the Inn at Longshore, in Westport,
Connecticut. With nearly 200 attendees, the event succeeded in honoring
these upstanding members of the community as well as raising over $45,000
for the Foundation’s endowment fund.
In attendance were friends of the community as well as friends and family
of the honorees. Each of the honorees has enriched the area with their
own personal achievements throughout the years.
Mr.
Dancho was appointed director of the Beardsley Zoo in 1983. Under his
guidance, the state’s only zoo has been transformed into a sophisticated
facility. He created the New World Tropical Center and added an on-site
veterinary hospital and two instructors to bolster educational programming.
Ms. Nunn supervises construction, engineering, environmental and safety endeavors as managing director of operations at Southern Connecticut Gas Company. She has returned to HCC as an adjunct professor, and serves on the HCC Board of Advisors to help with development of business curriculum.
Eddie Rodriguez was appointed a Superior Court judge in 1992, the first Puerto Rican to realize such an achievement. He was selected last August to be the ringmaster for this year’s Barnum Festival, and is the first Puerto Rican to serve in that capacity.
Ms. Sharp, who studied painting, drawing and design at HCC, recently exhibited her abstract paintings at the HCC Foundation’s Museum of Art. An artist member of the Silvermine Guild of Artists in New Canaan, she has been a faculty member at Silvermine School of Art.
The event proved to be a rousing success, not only showcasing the achievements of these Pillars of the Community, but also demonstrating the role that the college plays in fostering education and preparing students to become vital members of their communities.
Monday at Noon Concert Series
Thanks to a grant from the Greater Bridgeport Area Foundation, the
HCC Foundation was able to continue
its successful concert series. The concerts, free of charge and open
to the public, offered a wide range of professionally performed musical
events throughout the year.
Early Childhood Laboratory School
Owing to the continued support from the Westport Young Woman’s League, the Early Childhood Laboratory School has been able to continue in its already successful venture. The grant provided scholarships for children enrolled in the program as well as funding field trips for the youngsters. The Foundation is exceedingly grateful for the League’s generosity.
Fairfield County Foundation Discretionary Grant
The
HCC Foundation was the recipient of a $10,000 grant used in conjunction
with the Early Childhood Laboratory School. The Foundation was pleased
to announce the creation of a new literacy project through this grant.
This project developed a literacy readiness program for three and five
year old children who have yet to begin school. In collaboration with
Fairfield University and Action for Bridgeport Community Development,
the goal was to “have more Bridgeport children entering kindergarten
ready to learn by building strong literacy and language foundations
during these early years,” according to program director Heidi
Szobota. This grant enabled the Laboratory School to educate parents
and caregivers in the proper methods for readying their children for
school. The widespread help of the Fairfield County Foundation was much
appreciated and is sure to aid considerably in the educational development
of Bridgeport youth.
Center fo the Arts
The Housatonic Center for the Arts continues to flourish under the
direction of John Favret. We again saw the October Cabaret Night as
well as the Courtyard Festival. This year’s Courtyard Festival
took on an added dimension thanks to the sponsorship of UPS. In addition
to its financial contributions, UPS representatives were onsite during
the festival, offering information and employment opportunities to HCC
students. The Foundation is grateful for their help.Scholarship Donor
DinnerOn November 1, 2001, the Foundation was able to take the opportunity
to thank its many scholarship donors in the form of an informal dinner
reception. Recipients and donors were able to meet, and the Foundation
was able to spotlight those individuals who fund one of its most important
projects.The William H. Pitt III Foundation Scholarship
The HCC Foundation is pleased to announce the implementation of a new scholarship program, thanks to the generosity of the William H. Pitt III Foundation. The scholarship, awarded annually, seeks to encourage its recipients to complete their program of study in an accelerated time frame. The HCC Foundation is grateful to the Board of Directors of the Pitt Fund for this investment in education.
Corporate Recognition Breakfast
On May 17th the Foundation held a breakfast to recognize the generosity
of corporate donors. Dr. Janis Hadley publicly thanked all of these
contributors for their ongoing support of the College. She followed
with a brief presentation on the value of a community college education
and the economic impact of Housatonic Community College on the Greater
Bridgeport area and the State of Connecticut. The event was informative
and provided an excellent forum to express the Foundation’s gratitude
to its corporate supporters.
The William H. Pitt III Foundation Scholarship
The HCC Foundation is pleased to announce the implementation of a new scholarship program, thanks to the generosity of the William H. Pitt III Foundation. The scholarship, awarded annually, seeks to encourage its recipients to complete their program of study in an accelerated time frame. The HCC Foundation is grateful to the Board of Directors of the Pitt Fund for this investment in education.
Corporate Recognition Breakfast
On
May 17th the Foundation held a breakfast to recognize the generosity
of corporate donors. Dr. Janis Hadley publicly thanked all of these
contributors for their ongoing support of the College. She followed
with a brief presentation on the value of a community college education
and the economic impact of Housatonic Community College on the Greater
Bridgeport area and the State of Connecticut. The event was informative
and provided an excellent forum to express the Foundation’s gratitude
to its corporate supporters.