ACC Recognized for Innovation
Austin Community College has been selected to join the Board of Directors of the League of Innovation in the Community College, an international consortium dedicated to enhancing community colleges. ACC and Dallas County Community College are the only Texas schools on the board, which represents the nation’s most influential community colleges. Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC President/CEO will represent the college and states, “The League’s mission mirrors ACC’s own commitment to promoting individual success and strong communities through educational excellence and innovation. I am honored and delighted at the opportunity to work with this team of leaders to develop practices that will impact students here in Texas and nationwide.” ACC continues to have exciting expansions and develop new programs that will continue this innovation trend. In January, ACC celebrated the grand opening of the Bioscience Incubator, providing critically needed research space for life science companies to develop products such as pharmaceuticals and medical devices while providing educational programs, internships, and real-world experience to ACC students.
Rio Grande Campus News
The main building of the Rio Grande Campus will close mid-May to start a 2 1/2 year renovation project that will update the 100 year old building while preserving the history of the structure. It will include state of the art classrooms, an ACCelerator, and more modern open learning spaces. It is set to re-open in the fall of 2019.
Elgin Campus Expands
The Elgin Campus is expanding to add an 18,500 square foot academic building with teaching spaces, a surgical clinic and small animal wards for the Veterinary Technology program, and a processing kitchen and market to support the campus’ working farm that will be used by ACC’s Sustainable Agriculture program. The Vet Tech program will also have covered pens that will give students access to large animal vet procedures. Students in this program are eligible to apply for the Suanne Roueche Vet Tech Scholarship that was created in 2014 and assists 10 students each year. If you are interested in starting a scholarship, you can reach Stephanie Dempsey at 512-223-7719.
Message from : Mike Shaw, ACC Foundation Board Chair
Mike Shaw, ACC Foundation Board Chair
As the Foundation’s fiscal year comes to a close on May 31, I have been looking back at all that the Foundation has accomplished over the years because of your support. From our first scholarship awards in 1997 (14 awarded that year) to the 500+ this year, we have awarded just under 5000 scholarships totaling $7M. This has had an incredible effect on not only the students, but their families as well. I read the letters from students as they detail the sacrifices they have made to continue their education and I am struck by the resilience and determination that has gotten them so far. I am proud that we are a part of their story. This year, the Foundation board has continued to focus on providing even more support for ACC and its students. We awarded $821,000 in scholarships this year – the most ever. As of mid-April we are at $750,000 in scholarship support and closing in on reaching and surpassing last year with your help. Our goals are to grow our endowment to $8M and provide $1.6M in scholarships annually in the next few years and we are confident we will do that with you as our partner. I hope you will enjoy reading about our donors, students, and the great things happening at ACC.
“I was ecstatic when I learned that I was to be a scholarship recipient because of the difference it will make in my ability to be successful in school. I am not only a nursing student, but a widowed mother of two precocious children. This scholarship covered my tuition and books and allowed me to use my other aid to secure appropriate childcare for my children so I can finish the RN program. There is no greater gift you could give me as a mother and a student than to know that they are well cared for while I work hard to better our lives.” – 2016-17 scholarship recipient
Donor Spotlight— Bill Waeltz Memorial Scholarship
Bill Waeltz
Bill Waeltz was a Civil Engineer with his own practice, Waeltz & Prete in Round Rock, Texas and had a passion for the education of young students who aspired to be engineers. Through mentoring, he helped students discover if engineering was the right career for them and then helped them explore which area of the field best suited their talents.
John Henry McDonald, Board member, Sandi Waeltz, and Mike Shaw, Board Chair, at the 2017 AFP Philanthropy Day Luncheon
When he passed away in 2013, his family wanted to create a permanent legacy that would continue his passion for helping engineering students and created the Bill Waeltz Memorial Endowed Scholarship. Sandi Waeltz, Bill’s loving wife of 38 years, his children, and many family members and friends worked tirelessly to build the endowment through donations and an annual family and friends picnic fundraiser. Each year, an ACC student who plans on becoming a civil engineer receives a $1000 scholarship to attend ACC. The student is also matched with a mentor who guides them and lends support as they work towards their degree. The ACC Foundation was proud to honor Sandi for her hard work and dedication at the 2017 Austin Philanthropy Day Luncheon. This scholarship has already helped three very deserving students start their journey towards an exciting career.
Alumni Corner
Sonography Student Receives First ACC Alumni Network Scholarship
Kathy Farmer – First ACC Alumni Network Scholarship recipient
Kathy Farmer watches the monitor in front of her intensely as grainy black and white images come into focus. “I hope to help save lives,” she says. “It is very challenging, but rewarding.”
As a diagnostic medical sonography student at ACC, Farmer spends much of her day in labs, scanning and observing. “I started the program thinking I would focus on babies, but I’ve learned sonography is so much more. We image adult, pediatric, and fetal organs to make sure there are no diseases or pathology present.”
When Farmer went from being a part-time student to attending ACC full-time in fall 2016, she struggled to find a balance between school and work. “I have a large, challenging study load. It makes it hard to work when you are in such an intensive program,” says Farmer. “I work once a week and pick up on breaks, but paying rent and bills on savings alone is a struggle.”
She applied for assistance through the ACC Foundation scholarships and in spring 2017 became the first recipient of the ACC Alumni Network Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to one full-time student pursuing a certificate or associate degree at ACC to help pay for tuition, fees, and books. “As alumni, we all understand the value of education. It’s important that we turn our success around to help others achieve their dreams,” says MaryAnn Cicala, Alumni Network director.
“I don’t have to worry about finding the money to pay for tuition and books. Now, I know I can get through school,” says Farmer. “My dreams are within reach. I’m excited to see what the future holds and where I end up.”
The Alumni Network has established the endowed scholarship with $15,000 and has launched a fundraising drive to bring that up to $30,000 by May 1.
To make a gift online, visit the Alumni Network Scholarship page. For more information, call MaryAnn Cicala at 512-223-7109.
Third Annual ACC Fairway 5K Raises Funds for Scholarships
Board Chair Mike Shaw and friends ran the course.
ACC staff, students and friends came out on March 5th to run and walk in the ACC Fairway 5K in a cold drizzle to raise funds for the ACC Foundation General Scholarship. This scholarship is awarded to a broad cross section of ACC students each year who come to ACC to further their education. The ACC Foundation matches the funds raised to double the impact for these students.
ACC Foundation News
Drs. John & Suanne Roueche visited with some of their scholars at a luncheon held in February.
Drs. John & Suanne Roueche visited with some of their scholars at a luncheon held in February.
Current ACC Rodeo Austin Scholarship recipient ,Phillip Ochoa, and his parents attended the dinner and rodeo.
We would like to thank Rodeo Austin for their hospitality at the Scholarship Tribute in March. They honored scholarship recipients past and present. Current ACC Rodeo Austin Scholarship recipient ,Phillip Ochoa, and his parents attended the dinner and rodeo.
Assistance League of Austin scholarship recipients and graduates
Pictured above are some of the Assistance League of Austin scholarship recipients and graduates who were honored in April for their accomplishments. It was great to hear the students’ stories of perseverance and the impact that their Assistance League advocate has had on their journey.
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