Western Nebraska Community College Foundation is pleased to announce that it has met
and exceeded the $8.95 million goal for its WNCC Works: Expanding the Possibilities
Campaign. In just 21 months, a total of $9.6 million has been contributed to support
student success at WNCC. It is the first-ever major gifts, comprehensive campaign
initiated by the WNCC Foundation.
More than 1,100 donors provided in excess of 3,500 gifts over the course of the campaign.
Equally impressive were the number of WNCC employees who participated (96 percent)
and 100 percent participation by WNCC Foundation Board of Directors and the WCCA Board
of Governors.
"This campaign is a testament to the generosity of the panhandle and the ways in which
we impact the lives of our students every day here at WNCC," said Jennifer Rogers,
campaign manager and WNCC Foundation Executive Director. "WNCC is integral for the
future growth of the region and promotes workforce success, student success, and community
enrichment. Thanks to our wonderful donors, we will be able to do even more by way
of program expansions, student scholarships, and facility improvements."
Launched in conjunction with the 90th Anniversary of WNCC, the campaign focused on three initiatives: workforce success,
student success, and community enrichment.
The campaign will assist with program improvements, such as the Alliance Campus Powerline
Construction & Maintenance program expansion, as well as the development of the New
and Expanding Programs fund, which will assist WNCC in creating new programs, such
as the recently developed Applied Agriculture Certificate option for students that
will launch in the fall of 2017.
In addition, more than $2 million was raised through endowed scholarship funds alone
to help support greater access for students at WNCC. Finally, the Scottsbluff Campus
will launch a major renovation project in the fall of 2017 to include the expansion
and renovation of the Performing Arts Center, Student Success Center, and Learning
Resource Center, as well as additional SMART Classroom enhancements.
"This is a milestone occasion for both the Foundation and the college," said WNCC
President Todd Holcomb. "The Expanding the Possibilities Campaign leadership team
have made a profound difference in the way we will be able to impact our students
in the coming years. We thank the Foundation Board of Directors, the WNCC Foundation,
and especially our many supporters in the communities who have embraced and generously
supported our college."
WNCC Foundation Board President Howard Olsen echoed Holcomb's sentiments. "Every business,
organization, and resident is impacted by the power of higher education in the panhandle,"
said Olsen. "The Expanding the Possibilities Campaign may be over, but our efforts
to change lives and our communities for the better continue on."