History of the Foundation
The CCC Foundation has a history of providing support to thousands of students through scholarships
The Central Community College Foundation has helped thousands of students through scholarship awards and has seen its assets grow to a peak of over $38 million since it was founded on March 1, 1989.
The CCC Foundation was initiated by former College President Dr. Joseph W. Preusser, according to Jack Crowley, founding executive director of the foundation. Crowley and Preusser both are now retired and serve as Director Emeritus of the Central Community College Foundation.
“Dr. Preusser approached me with a vision of establishing a foundation that would be proactive in raising funds and other forms of support for the college,” Crowley said.
The CCC Foundation was established as a separate, not-for-profit corporation for the benefit of Central Community College, which has campuses in Columbus, Grand Island and Hastings; centers in Holdrege, Kearney and Lexington; and provides educational services in communities throughout a 25-county service area.
The college had two foundations with combined assets of about $100,000 when they merged into the Central Community College Foundation in 1996, according to Crowley.
The foundation currently has 14 board members from throughout the CCC service area. The wide range of talent and experience represented by the board has played a key role in the foundation’s success. “The Foundation Board gives generously of their time, talent, leadership and money,” Dean Moors, former executive director, said.
The college also plays a major role in the foundation’s success because people appreciate the tremendous impact Central Community College has on the economy of central Nebraska, according to Moors. He points out that the college’s most recent Graduate Employment Report (2019-20) shows that 94 percent of graduates stayed within the college service area and 100 percent stayed in Nebraska. A recently completed economic impact study shows that every dollar of tax money invested in CCC returns $1.80 in benefits.
Moors said CCC’s career and technical programs contribute a significant number of educated professionals to the workforce. “Our students can graduate in two years or less, start their career, make a good living for their families and be productive member of their communities,” Moors said. “The wide range of career and technical programs available at CCC has been a tremendous benefit for central Nebraska.”
Central Community College offers certificates, diplomas and associate of applied science degrees in 36 career and technical areas, including some of today’s fastest growing occupations such as Heavy Equipment Operator, Advanced Manufacturing Design Technology, Early Childhood Education, Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Nursing, and Visual Communications.
Providing support for students
Providing support for students in CCC programs is a primary mission for the foundation. Students have received over $3.6 million in scholarships from funds raised by the Foundation. The funds distributed rose due to an increase of donations from the year-end appeal and the small recovery of the markets which influence the earnings on the endowed scholarship funds.