Heroes of Education Honor Richard L. Boals

Hero of Education Richard L. Boals

Maricopa Community College students will benefit from more than $150,000 raised at the third annual Heroes of Education Recognition Dinner held April 17, 2008 at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix.

Proceeds from the event will support scholarships for the Achieving a College Education (ACE) Program, the Chicanos Por La Causa matching scholarship program, and the General Scholarship Fund.

More than 500 people attended the event, which was hosted by Maricopa Community Colleges and the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation and honored Richard L. Boals, President and Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield. The dinner was attended by civic and corporate leaders from throughout the Valley. In his acceptance speech, Boals said...

"The tenacity and resilience of people who persevere to get their education, despite the hand life may have dealt them, constantly amazes me. The work of the Foundation assists them in that endeavor,"

In 2006, the Colleges and Foundation honored Peter Fine, president and chief executive office of Banner Health. The 2007 honoree was U.S. Rep. Ed Pastor. In the three years of its existence, the event has raised more than $440,000 for student scholarships.

Celebrating the Legend: Dr. Art DeCabooter

SCC President Arthur W. DeCabooter

As a tribute to the beloved "Dr. D." and his 30 years of service to Scottsdale Community College and the Maricopa Community Colleges, the Arthur W. DeCabooter Legacy Campaign was initiated to raise money for the Arthur DeCabooter Scholarship Fund. A community-based retirement celebration was held on April, 9, 2008 at the Chaparral Suites Resort in Scottsdale. To date, $116,665 has been raised for the scholarship fund.

Dr. DeCabooter is the longest-serving president in the 10-college Maricopa County Community College District. His quiet yet effective leadership throughout the years has made him a mainstay at the college, in his community and in national education circles.

A Fitting Legacy: Ron Bergamo

Community Leader Ron Bergamo

Respected TV executive and community leader Ron Bergamo lost his life in a tragic car crash on January 6, 2008. Subsequently, Ron's long time friend, Gregg Ostro (founder and CEO of GO Media Companies) spearheaded the establishment of the Ron Bergamo Television Scholarship Endowment within the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. A luncheon and auction held on March 14, 2008, at US Airways Center Pavilion. raised over $154,000 for student scholarships for aspiring television media professionals. These scholarships honor Ron's spirit and ensure that young people are equipped to pursue a future in the television industry.

Helios Education Foundation Gift

From left to right: Paul Luna, Rufus Glasper, Vince Roig, Steve Helfgot, and LeRoy Gaintner

The Helios Education Foundation, a nonprofit organization with offices in Arizona and Florida, has granted $763,986 to the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation to support the Maricopa Community Colleges' ACE (Achieving a College Education) program.

Vince Roig, Chairman of the Board of Helios, announced the gift on October 29, 2007 at the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation "Heroes of Education" Award kickoff reception. The check was officially presented at the Heroes of Education VIP Reception on April 17, 2008. Steven Schenk, Executive VP & COO of the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, said the donation was one of the largest ever made to the Foundation by another non-profit educational foundation.

"We are absolutely thrilled that Helios saw the tangible benefits that ACE gives to the citizens of Maricopa County and decided it was worthy of their generosity."

The Helios Education Foundation is an endowment that will exist in perpetuity. It invests time, expertise and resources in finding innovative solutions to the complex challenges facing education systems and impacting the success of children and youth. Student success from pre-kindergarten through post-secondary education drives its decision making. Helios' goal is to increase the number of young adults successfully completing postsecondary education with the skills and knowledge necessary to compete in a global economy.

Katrina Survivor & Scholarship Recipient Joseph Jenneford

Joseph Jenneford Scholarship Recipient

Katrina survivor; he is a thriver. Though his family was displaced by the hurricane and his educational plans were disrupted, Joseph found a new home in the Valley and started rebuilding his young life.

"When I first arrived in Arizona, I almost immediately enrolled at Glendale Community College and they worked with me to make this transition as seamless as possible. Now in the nursing program at GCC, Joseph has a 3.5 GPA.

"My parents didn't go to college and it was difficult for them to understand my educational goals, although now that they see how much I have achieved, they are my biggest supporters."

"I know it sounds strange to say that Katrina was a blessing, but right after the hurricane, I was very depressed and I couldn't even imagine what my next step was going to be. But coming to Arizona, enrolling at GCC, having the immense help of scholarships, making new friends and forming study groups, it is a life that I could never have imagined back home."

"Leading with Heart" Award: Ronnie Lopez

Ronnie Lopez Leading with Heart Award Recipient

The Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation and ACE have no better friend and supporter than Ronnie Lopez, a long time community icon. When Ronnie learned about ACE and how the program keeps at-risk students in high school while enabling them to earn up to 24 hours of college credit, he made ACE his personal cause. And he did it with characteristic passion, commitment, dedication and heartfelt goodwill.

During its May 29th open house, the Foundation recognized Ronnie's immense contributions and commitment by presenting the Ronnie Lopez Leading with Heart Award to a visibly moved Mr. Lopez. This heart shaped award will be given from time-to-time to individuals who demonstrate the selfless and passionate dedication to the Maricopa Community Colleges District that Ronnie has shown in his work for ACE.

President and CEO of the Foundation, Dr. Steve Helfgot, announced the creation of the Ronnie Lopez ACE Scholarship Endowment. The endowment will provide scholarships to graduates of the ACE program who continue their education at one of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges. The endowment currently has over $80,000 and will undoubtedly grow as more friends of Ronnie honor him.