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November 28, 2007

Calhoun Foundation Announces Largest Monetary Gift In College's History

The Calhoun Community College Foundation today announced the largest monetary gift ever given to Calhoun in the college’s 60 year history. A bequest of $1.8 million has been left to the Foundation by the late Josephine Powell of Decatur, AL, in memory of her late husband Elbert Patterson and his parents Lois and Carl Patterson to whom Ms. Powell credited as having made possible the funds that created this gift.

The close to $2 M gift is the centerpiece of Calhoun’s current capital campaign to raise funds for its new health sciences center and programs, math and science programs, scholarships and campus development. It is one of the largest gifts ever given to benefit an Alabama community college and is considered to be among the largest  undesignated cash gifts in the history of the state’s two-year college system.  “The tremendous generosity of the Powell/Patterson family represents an unprecedented level of giving for Calhoun,” commented Calhoun President Marilyn Beck.

“Because these funds are undesignated, the significance of this gift is magnified.  The Foundation can use the monies in any way that best benefits Calhoun,” Beck added.   According to Terri Bryson, executive director of the Calhoun Foundation, the board anticipates using the funds to create new scholarships for academically meritorious students.

Commenting on the significance of the gift, Arthur Orr, president of the Calhoun Foundation, said, “Community colleges are among the most important resources in our state. Their mission reflects the needs and ambitions of both our residents and our economy.”

”Community colleges are the economic engine of Alabama,” added Orr. “They give our young people a strong foundation from which to launch their dreams and they are nimble and adaptive, responding to the needs of business and industry to supply qualified and well-trained individuals for our state’s workforce. It’s rewarding to see Calhoun receive a gift of this magnitude, which clearly reflects the value of the college’s mission.”

Beck noted, “Calhoun’s mission is student success. Whether a student comes to us to earn their general education credits and prepare for transfer to a 4-year university, or they want a two-year degree that puts them in the job market quickly, there’s no better place to start their college education than Calhoun.  This gift will provide the means for even more of our deserving students to realize their educational and career dreams.”

According to information provided to the Calhoun Foundation, Josephine Powell was born in Morgan County Oct. 1, 1920. She passed away in May 2006. Regions Bank, the trustee of her estate, notified Calhoun of her gift earlier this year and recently reported that the estate had been settled allowing the donation to be awarded to college’s Foundation.

Coverage of this release:

• Grant News: Calhoun Community College received a $1.8 million gift..., Community College Times, Friday, February 1, 2008 issue, p12
• $1.8 million gift, WAAY TV Channel 31, Huntsville, AL, Friday, December 7, 2007, 6:00 a.m. newscast.
• Calhoun receives $1.8 million gift, The Huntsville Times, Thursday, December 6, 2007 issue, p. B2
• $1.8 million gift an investment in people, The Decatur Daily, Friday, November 30, 2007 issue, p. A7 (see article)
• $1.8 million gift, WAAY TV Channel 31, Huntsville, AL, Thursday, November 29, 2007.
• Calhoun foundation receives $1.8 million, The Decatur Daily, Thursday, November 29, 2007 issue, p. A1 (see article)
• Calhoun Receives Largest Gift Ever, WAAY TV Channel 31 website, Huntsville, AL

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Janet Kincherlow-Martin
Director of Public Relations
(256) 306-2561

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