ECC Foundation to Award Six Mini-Grants

ECC Foundation to Award Six Mini-Grants

November 23, 2020 |

The East Central College Foundation is awarding six mini-grants this year totaling $8,380 to departments and programs at the college.

The grants are funded annually through the Albert C. Buescher Memorial Fund.

Foundation Director Bridgette Kelch said the grants are given out to help support various scholastic departments and programs.

Since 2009, the ECC Foundation Board has awarded nearly $100,000 to college departments and programs through its mini-grants initiative.

This year, grants will fund The Learning Center’s Biggest Winner, new signage for the Nursing & Allied Health program, a new “Energy Barbecue Grill” for the Business and Industry Center, a new mascot costume for the Communications and Marketing Department, a timpani for the Music Department and additional signs for Arts and Sciences programs.

According to Lisa Haag, TLC English specialist, The Biggest Winner contest is meant to provide a financial incentive for students to prioritize academic success.

“For many students, academic performance suffers due to economic necessity,” she said. “Many students struggle to complete assignments, attend class, and seek help due to being over-extended with work.”

Each semester for the next three years, students taking more than six credit hours will be invited to take part in the contest. The students who increase their test scores by the greatest margin will earn cash prizes of $250, first place; $125, second place; and $75, third place.

A cross-curriculum project will be funded by a Foundation mini grant that will benefit students in the HVAC, Welding, Industrial Engineering Technology, Precision Machinery and Culinary Arts programs.

The New Energy BBQ Grill will be built by the students and powered by solar energy. The grill will have two refrigeration units and a storage compartment. The grill will feature two television screens that will show video of how the grill was made.

The grill will be used in public as an educational and promotional tool for the Business and Industry Center programs.

The ECC Music Department will receive funds for a new 26-inch Yamaha copper timpani (kettledrum) to be used for instruction and performances.

“The ability to practice and perform modern percussion literature is crucial if students are to perform at the junior level when they transfer to a four-year university,” said Aaron Bounds, director of bands.

The Foundation awarded the Arts and Sciences Division at ECC funds for new signage, including floor banners, tabletop banners and tablecloths to promote the five pathways in Arts and Sciences.

The Nursing and Allied Health program also will receive funds for signage, including banners and tablecloths, which will be used to promote and highlight the program and its offerings.

A Foundation mini grant will also fund a new Franklin the Falcon mascot costume to be used for internal and community events to promote the college and Foundation.

In addition to the $8,380 funded by the Foundation, the College funded $7,007 for other projects. These projects include:

  • Student Food Pantry’s new refrigerator and freezer;
  • Biology Department’s BioHuman Anatomy Software;
  • The Learning Center’s new headsets;
  • Assessment Showcase Event;
  • Center for Workforce Development’s new testing equipment; and
  • Communications and Marketing’s new directional signage.

To learn more about the ECC Foundation, visit www.eastcentral.edu/foundation/.