With tuition rising nearly 40% in the past 4 years, South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) students pay over $5,000 a year for tuition and books.
The Harvest Moon Celebration, on October 6th, hosted by SPSCC, gathers valuable dollars to create bright and fulfilling futures for members of our community.
Harvest Moon guests will be able to experience life as a SPSCC student during the social hour. “Students and faculty from six of our more than fifty academic and technical programs will lead guests through today’s learning environment. And we’ll be able to peek into the future to view the latest in technological advancements,” describes SPSCC Foundation Executive Director, Cecelia Loveless.
“Individuals attending the Harvest Moon Celebration get first-hand experience with the College’s programs, such as being led through a mock crime scene with the help of cutting-edge forensic equipment. My pride grows each time I see SPSCC students in action, showing the amazing impact each person will have as a future employee for our local business community,” says Harvest Moon Chair Lynnette McCarty.
The Harvest Moon Celebration continues with an elegant dinner served by SPSCC students. A notable speaker, Dr. Kevin Cooper, will then deliver a keynote address highlighting the role of community college education in Fueling Innovation.
With the generous support of donors over the past decade, the event has raised over $1 million and the work of the foundation has assisted thousands of students with scholarships and emergency grants.
“Without scholarship support from (Harvest Moon donors), there would be many students such as myself unable to pursue the career they’ve dreamed of,” says one of the 2011 Harvest Moon Scholarship recipients.
“During tough economic times, SPSCC students turn to alternative ways of funding their education. Receiving a scholarship removes a financial barrier for a student but also reminds the individual that someone believes in their potential,” says Loveless.
Harvest Moon will also serve as a kick-off to the College’s 50th anniversary celebration. “Our goal is to showcase the best of the college, its programs and its students. Raising funds for scholarships for deserving students has always been the heart of the Harvest Moon Celebration,” states former Foundation Executive Director, Holly Mason.
The 2012- 2013 school year, scheduled to start in late September, marks a busy time for the college. The President, Dr. Gerald Pumphrey is set to retire, with a new president joining the leadership team.
“For the past fifty years, South Puget Sound Community College has made our community a better place to live and to work by helping hundreds of thousands of our citizens grow, learn, and gain new skills,” says Pumphrey.
“In a very real sense, we have contributed to the health, prosperity, and culture of the South Sounds region by strengthening the lives of those we have prepared to enter their careers or pursue additional education. We are now excited to embark on the second half of our first century of service to our community and its’ citizens,” adds Pumphrey.
The 50th Anniversary Harvest Moon Celebration is on track to be a sold out event. To reserve your ticket, or for more information, visit the SPSCC Foundation website by clicking here.
