Message from Vice Chancellor Steven Helfgot

Steven R. Helfgot, Ed.D.
President & CEO

For all of us these are difficult times and we are no exception. Our endowment has been impacted, raising money is more challenging, and our students have a greater need for our assistance.

In these challenging times, though, I want to assure you of three things. First, we continue to be conservative and effective stewards of your gifts. Our Investments Committee meets regularly with our investment manager to assure that our assets are well managed. Second, we continue to raise money to support students and programs, looking for new funding sources and innovative strategies to accomplish our mission. Finally, we continue to work aggressively to insure that every scholarship dollar is distributed to needy and deserving students.

Through all this we appreciate your support more than ever, and we will continue to keep you up-todate on our work.

Heroes of Education Honors Gerrit van Huisstede

Hero of Education
Gerrit van Huisstede

The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation raised a record $160,000 for student scholarships at the 4th annual Heroes of Education dinner at the Arizona Biltmore on April 16th. Gerrit van Huisstede, Wells Fargo Bank's Regional President, Desert Mountain Region, was honored as the 2009 Hero of Education. The award is given annually to a champion of public education in Arizona who has a proven personal and professional commitment to support Maricopa Community College students and educational opportunities.

In addition to van Huisstede's keynote address, Maricopa Community College graduates Rebecca Martos of Paradise Valley Community College, and Elie Chmouni of Chandler-Gilbert Community College, addressed an audience of more than 500 community leaders who attended the event. Both students were recipients of Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation scholarships.

"It was our most successful event ever," said Dr. Steven Helfgot, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. Helfgot lauded the generosity of donors during difficult economic times, stating "We were incredibly moved by the support of our donors at this event. The support for Heroes was a testament to the commitment that people in this community have to educational opportunity. It takes a lot of hard work from staff and volunteers and a great honoree with a great message, and we had all of that this year."

Proceeds from the Heroes of Education Recognition Dinner benefit ACE (Achieving a College Education), the Chicanos Por La Causa/Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Matching Scholarship Fund, and the Foundation's General Scholarship Fund.

In Memorium: Diane Thomas-Darnell

"Tears are sometimes an inappropriate response to death. When a life has been lived completely honestly, completely successfully, or just completely, the correct response to death's perfect punctuation mark is a smile."
–– Julie Burchill

There were both tears and smiles when friends and family gathered to remember Diana Thomas-Darnell, who passed away not long ago at age 93. Her long life was most certainly lived "completely" as even a partial list of her activities and interest reveals.

During a long and distinguished career, Mrs. Thomas-Darnell worked as a commercial photographer, television personality, small business owner, arbiter for the Better Business Bureau, author, freelance writer, photojournalist, and college instructor. She authored and published nearly a dozen books and wrote many more articles which appeared in publications ranging from The New York Times, McCall's, and Better Homes & Gardens to Real West and Old Cars magazine.

Mrs. Thomas-Darnell taught writing and photography in the Maricopa Community College District, and her legacy includes a gift that will eventually exceed $800,000 to establish endowed scholarship funds at Phoenix College and Glendale Community College. As a result of that generosity, her memory lives on and will continue to be punctuated by the smiles of future generations of student scholarship recipients.

Getting to Know Our Newest Foundation Staff Member

"It has been a wonderful three months and I am so pleased to be a part of the Maricopa family and especially the Foundation family."

Rachel Rabinovich joined the staff of the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation in January 2009 as Senior Development Officer. For the past six years, Rachel served as Director of Development for the Anti-Defamation League, overseeing its annual Jerry J. Wisotsky Torch of Liberty Award Dinner as well as all aspects of the fundraising operation.

Rachel joined the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation staff in time to add her expertise in a special event fundraising to the team that was already working on the annual "Heroes of Education" tribute dinner. She has also been working on a variety of other fundraising assignments and is the lead staff member assigned to the design and installation of a new donor recognition wall at the Foundation's offices.

Board Chair Recognized

LeRoy Gaintner, a long-time member of the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation Board of Directors and outgoing Board Chair was recognized at the Foundation's April 24th meeting. Gaintner has served on the Foundation Board since 1986 and will complete his current two-year term as Chair on June 30th. He was presented with the traditional "Chair's Kachina" by (pictured left to right) Vice Chair Edmundo Hidalgo, Foundation President/CEO Steve Helfgot, and Executive Vice President Steve Schenk.

Estrella Mountain Community College Student on His Way to Notre Dame University in the Fall

"Last school year I had to work two jobs to cover my tuition. With the help of the CPLC scholarship, I have been freed up to do my best work at EMCC."

Ryan Ayala will soon be trading the warmth of Avondale, Arizona for Indiana winters. Ryan will be attending the highly selective Notre Dame University, and he has the Chicanos Por La Causa (CPLC) Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation matching scholarship program to thank. "Absolutely, if it weren't for Estrella Mountain Community College and the CPLC scholarship program, it would be far from a certainty that I would be attending Notre Dame University next fall," said Ryan recently between his classes at EMCC and his job as a tutor at Trevor Browne High School.

The EMCC sophomore cannot hide his excitement at the adventure that awaits him next fall as he leaves his family home to continue his studies in communications.

Ryan went on to explain that the financial burden that has been lifted from the shoulders of him and his family makes preparations for his upcoming departure easier, though there will be a drawback or two. "I don't think I'll be able to get away with my Arizona wardrobe for this coming winter," jokes Ryan.

Planned Giving

People are often unsure of the definition of "planned giving." A gift is "planned" to the extent that the donor purposefully integrates a charitable gift into his/her overall financial, tax, and estate planning. A planned gift offers attractive financial benefits to donors, their families, and to charity. "Planned" gifts are often thought of as ‘leaving a legacy' that benefits not only the donor and the donor's family, but also future generations. A planned gift can provide donors and their families with a variety of benefits including:

• Increasing current income for the donor or others
• Reducing income and/or estate taxes
• Reducing or avoiding capital gains taxes
• Passing assets on to family members tax free or at reduced tax cost
• Making an important gift to the Maricopa Community Colleges

Parting Gifts
Your Legacy Doesn't Have to End with Your Retirement!

A new giving opportunity – Parting Gifts – has been established at the Foundation to benefit employees and continue their support of a program, scholarship, or college beyond their retirement.

Parting Gifts is a way for employees to leave an on-going expression of their institutional pride and personal commitment to students and education by donating a portion of the sick leave and vacation payout they receive upon retirement.

One Parting Gift donor, Dr. Maria Hesse, president of Chandler- Gilbert Community College, said this about her decision to create the Maria L. Hesse Service and Leadership Scholarship at CGCC:

"The Maricopa Community College system has meant so much to me. I am delighted to be able to endow this new scholarship fund by donating compensation I would have received for unused sick time and vacation days."

Your college or site retirement adviser has full details about the new Parting Gift program or you may contact Ray Weinhold at the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, (480) 731-8838.

Employee Recognition Program

Vice Chancellor Steve Helfgot, Betty Hufford, Foundation Board Chair LeRoy Gaintner

Each year, the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation recognizes five Maricopa County Community College District employees or teams of employees who have made outstanding contributions to advance the District's mission. To honor their achievements, the Foundation awards a $1,000 scholarship in the name of each "Employee Recognition Award" winner. This year's honorees are:

Dr. Camilla A.H. Westenberg, Phoenix College

Rick Watts, Glendale Community College

Peggy Fridell, Mesa Community College

Betty Hufford, Glendale Community College

Marshall Logvin, South Mountain Community College

The Foundation Warmly Welcomes New Board Members

Jackson Fonder

Alexander Jamison

Russell Johnson

Michael Kelly

George Lee

Tammy McLeod

These community leaders bring with them a strong commitment to higher education and to the Maricopa Community Colleges. Their diverse backgrounds, unique insights and professional and community experiences will be invaluable assets to the Foundation.

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