Southeast Community College

[PHOTO: SCC President Dr. Jack Huck addresses the audience during the Educational Foundation's Invest in the Best Campaign reception held Aug. 19. ]

A donation to Southeast Community College's Educational Foundation is an investment in students and the economic future of the area.

That's the message Richard Becker, executive director, and other chairs conveyed when the Foundation kicked off its Invest in the Best fundraising campaign with a reception on Aug. 19. The event was held at SCC's Continuing Education Center, 301 S. 68th St. Place, Lincoln. Becker, along with campaign chairpersons, discussed the fund drive.

The campaign's goal is $7 million. Approximately $6 million has been raised. Focus areas are scholarships, partnerships and technology.

"Because of you and your commitment to the campaign, we've reached the $6 million level," Becker told a crowd of about 40 people. "You all deserve to pat yourselves on the back. We wouldn't have reached $6 million without you."


[PHOTO: Dana, right, and Reva Altman, co-chairs of SCC's Invest in the Best Campaign, were among several people who spoke during the reception on Aug. 19. ]

Campaign co-chairs Kelly Holthus, president and chief executive officer of Cornerstone Bank in York; Jay Dunlap, chairman emeritus of Union Bank & Trust and a foundation board member; and Reva and Dana Altman, attended the reception. Dana Altman is head men's basketball coach at Creighton University. The Altmans are SCC alumni.

Other foundation board of directors attended the reception, including Harley Bergmeyer, chairman and CEO of First State Bank in Wilber.

"This is a bit of a unique campaign in that we're not raising money for buildings but trying to get scholarships for kids, and that's important," Bergmeyer said.


[PHOTO: Harley Bergmeyer, a member of SCC's Educational Foundation Board of Directors, discusses the Invest in the Best Campaign during a reception on Aug. 19. ]


Four new scholarship opportunities were discussed at the reception.

Tom Henning, president of Assurity Life Insurance Co., talked about the scholarship his company created that will benefit SCC students who have a strong interest in math, computers or business; who are working toward an associate's degree in business administration or another approved program; and who possess potential supervisory skills.

"When Richard and (SCC president Dr.) Jack (Huck) approached us, they asked what challenges we face," Henning said. "One challenge is finding people with supervisory skills. We're excited about this scholarship."

Holly Ostergard, an SCC foundation board member representing the Acklie Foundation, talked about the scholarship established for spouses and dependents of employees of Crete Carrier Corp. or one of its affiliates. She said 20 spouses or children of employees are enrolled at SCC because of the scholarship.

"Our family and company know the value of a college education," she said. "A major selling point for this scholarship was the availability of online courses."

Connie Duncan, who has facilitated the Learn to Dream Scholarship within Lincoln Public Schools, discussed the scholarship, funded by Union Bank and Nelnet. The scholarship pays for up to 45 quarter credit hours (approximately one year) at SCC for qualified students attending high schools in Lincoln. She shared human interest stories from students and families who have benefited, including a boy whose single mother told Duncan that "a 10-pound bag of bricks has been lifted off my shoulders." Her son, an LTD Scholarship recipient, holds a 3.5 grade-point average at SCC and plans to transfer to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Huck then told the audience about SCC's commitment to expand the Learn to Dream Scholarship which will create an opportunity for every economically disadvantaged high school student graduating from a public or private high school in SCC's 15-county district to further their education by attending SCC in Beatrice, Lincoln or Milford.

Students who qualify will be able to take 45 quarter credit hours at SCC without having to pay for tuition and fees. SCC is providing a 50-percent match in funds toward the scholarship program for up to five years. The other 50 percent of the scholarship is being paid for by benefactors within the College's 15-county district.

"Our SCC Board of Governors made a commitment to set aside funds to help all students who qualify within our district outside the city of Lincoln," Huck said. He said the Wilber-Clatonia School District was the first outside Lincoln to join the partnership.

Becker said the Invest in the Best campaign was important for several reasons.

"By investing in the campaign, people will help make dreams come true for countless students," Becker said. "Secondly, we strongly believe that revitalizing local communities is critical to sustaining the quality of life that encourages and sustains economic development. And finally, in order to continue to provide the best education and training, SCC must continuously improve its programs, equipment and technology."

Persons wishing to make a donation to the Invest in the Best campaign are asked to contact Becker at (402) 323-3411 or rbecker@southeast.edu

For more information, contact:
Stu Osterthun
Administrative Director of Public Information and Marketing
(402) 323-3401
sosterthun@southeast.edu