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Tag: East Central College Foundation

Peggy Zotta Memorial Scholarship Established for Nurses at East Central College

July 26, 2018 | Campus News

For the last several years, an area woman has been on a mission – honoring her longtime friend and nursing colleague Peggy Zotta.

“Peggy and I worked together at St. Luke’s side by side, mostly in the Newborn and the Special Care Nurseries,” her friend said. “She was a nurse’s nurse.  Someone you could count on.  Someone you would want taking care of those you loved the very most.”

In 2014, Zotta became terminally ill. Her friend wanted to honor her memory after her passing.

“There is a lot more to nursing than the mechanics and knowledge base.  More even than human touch.  Maybe it’s compassion, an empathy that can enhance healing beyond the physical things we do.  I know it is essential in the very best of us, and Peggy had that gift, that art,” she said.

The friend and her husband set out to establish the Peggy Zotta Memorial Scholarship for nursing students.  They started their quest at the University of Missouri – St. Louis, and they recently started working with the East Central College Foundation to bring the scholarship to even more students.

“Peggy was aware of the first scholarship before we lost her and was pleased to be honored,” her friend added.  “I think she’d be even more tickled about this one.  I’m excited about how many students may benefit!”

The friend and her husband donate $40,000 annually to help students in need at East Central College.

“I want this scholarship to be part of her legacy,” she explained, “something to honor her, who she was, the lives she touched.  I am privileged to be able to help a deserving student – glad to be able to give back.  I never imagined, working all those years, that the money I had put aside for retirement would end up giving back to the profession that I love.”

The Peggy Zotta Memorial Scholarship at East Central College will be available for any student with great need but especially for those who often fall through the cracks or who have no other means for pursuing their goals. It will be available for the 2018-2019 school year.

Unnerstall Named 2018 Outstanding Alumni

May 14, 2018 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Nearly 30 years ago, Ron Unnerstall helped found Washington Engineering and Architecture. Today, the company’s influence can be seen around Franklin County and beyond. Its portfolio is vast – from the Washington Public Safety Building to the new Heat and Control facility in Union.

Unnerstall has used his engineering knowledge over the years to help serve the community. His firm has donated services to help local organizations with projects big and small. Outside of work, he volunteers his personal time to help those around him. He’s an inspiration to those who know him, and it’s why he’s been chosen as the East Central College 2018 Outstanding Alumni! The award is presented annually to honor an ECC graduate who has used his or her education and been of service to the community.

“It’s a great honor to win this award,” Unnerstall explained. “I know there are thousands of other East Central College alumni who are deserving of this award as well.”

After graduating from St. Francis Borgia Regional High School in 1975, Unnerstall enrolled in East Central College’s pre-engineering program. “It was really just getting off the ground at the time,” explained Unnerstall, “but my instructors were dedicated, passionate people who helped me get to where I am today.”

In 1977, he transferred to the University of Missouri-Columbia where he earned his bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1979. “At the time, we were still using punch cards to write code,” he said. “I still remember getting my first programmable calculator – which was an engineering marvel at the time!”

After college, he returned home. He began his career in engineering at a major construction company in St. Louis. The position would eventually move him to Ohio, where he spent several years.

“My wife and I got a little homesick,” he remembers. So, he returned to Missouri, working at different engineering jobs in the area. However, travel was becoming burdensome. It was at that time when Unnerstall decided to venture out on his own. In 1989, Washington Engineering and Architecture opened for business.

Since that time, the company has experienced success. They’ve used it to help others along the way. Unnerstall’s firm has offered free design services to organizations like St. Francis Borgia and the Washington Town and Country Fair. His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed as he was named the St. Francis Borgia High School Knight of the Year in 2013 and was named Grand Marshal of the Washington Town and Country Fair in 2012.

Unnerstall not only volunteers professional services but his personal time. He’s served on various committees at St. Francis Borgia as well as the school board. He has also volunteered on the Washington Town and Country Fair Board, eventually becoming chairman of the event in 1998. Additionally, he served as president of the East Central College Alumni Association and as a board member for the East Central College Foundation. He also served on the Franklin County Building Commission as chairman and is involved in the Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge and Lions Club.

Unnerstall and his wife Donna are parents to four girls and have six grandchildren. He currently enjoys spending time with his family and playing drums in the Washington Brass Band.

The East Central College Alumni Association established the award in 2002 to recognize outstanding alumni who have set an example for ECC graduates by using their college education and serving their community.  Past recipients include: Tanya Voss, John Griesheimer, Tom Robertson, Chris Manhart, Deborah Koelling, Tammy Watz, Dr. Frank Miller, Ken Schmidt, Chris Stuckenschneider, Ann Schroeder, Ted Coburn, Linda Mahon, Joe Purschke, Amy Wildhaber, Tony Kreutz. Dave Arand and Audrey Freitag.

ECC Foundation Announces Sandy Upchurch Memorial Nursing Scholarship

May 9, 2018 | Campus News

The East Central College Foundation is proud to announce the establishment of the Sandy Upchurch Memorial Nursing Scholarship for the 2018-2019 school year.

The Pacific native and East Central College alumna was known as a caring, passionate person. She spent more than 30 years as a registered nurse in labor and delivery at St. Luke’s Hospital in Chesterfield – often caring for children in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Sandy was stricken with cancer and passed away on October 12th, 2016.

Through the scholarship, the family hopes it will encourage and instill the spirit to deliver compassionate care.

Students can apply for the scholarship on the ECC Foundation website. Two awards will be given annually to deserving students.

While the first award has been endowed by the family, donations can be made for the second award. All donations are tax-deductible. Please email foundation@eastcentral.edu for more information or call 636-584-6506.

ECC Foundation Annual Meeting – January 25

January 5, 2018 | Campus News

The annual meeting of the East Central College Foundation will be held Thursday, January 25. at 6:00 p.m. in Buescher Hall, Room 238.

Nominations will be presented to the Board of Directors for 2018. Additionally, the oath of office will be administered to newly elected and returning Directors.

The ECC Foundation Board of Directors is composed of up to 30 individuals from business and community leaders who take an active role in fundraising, membership activities, finance, and investment planning. They also supervise planned gifts and endowments.

All persons interested in the advancement and growth of East Central College shall be eligible for membership in the Foundation.  Members shall have made a $50 value contribution for each Foundation fiscal year or portion thereof.  Contributions made within a period of 60 days prior to the commencement of a fiscal year will be considered as payment in full through the following fiscal year period.  Members shall receive all services provided to the membership.

Established in 1975, the East Central College Foundation supports the growth and development of East Central College in whatever ways might be beneficial to students, staff, and facilities. It solicits and receives tax-deductible gifts which are managed for the benefit of the college and its students. It is chartered as a non-profit 501 (c)3 organization for educational purposes.

For information regarding the ECC Foundation, call 636-584-6506 or email: foundation@eastcentral.edu.

East Central College Foundation Awards Mini-Grants

December 19, 2017 | Campus News Inspiring Excellence

Each year, the East Central College Foundation awards mini-grants to scholastic departments and programs through The Albert C. Buescher Memorial. In 2017, seven awards were given to help support various initiatives.

The Learning Center was awarded a mini-grant to implement online math and science tutoring through the purchase of Boogie Board Sync.

“This e-writer can be linked to a computer and a whiteboard app,” said Learning Center Specialist Alison Tucker. “Tutors will be able to communicate more effectively with students.”

The Learning Center was also awarded a mini-grant to purchase anatomical models for students and tutors to use.

The Financial Aid Department was awarded a mini-grant in order to purchase a printer and supplies for the new Veterans Lounge in the Donald Shook Student Center.

“The veteran students are very appreciative of the printer,” said Financial Aid Advisor Lorrie Baird. “They sometimes have long stretches between classes and the lounge is a quiet place for them to retreat and do their homework.  It is inconvenient for some of the students to complete an assignment and then go over to the Learning Center or Library to print out the work.”

The Theatre Program was awarded a mini-grant for much needed video equipment, lighting, microphones and other items as learning tools for students.

“We recently used the equipment to film I Love New York” (photo), said Theatre Director Grace Austin. “It’s been very helpful for them to be able to view their work on stage.”

A mini-grant is being used to help support the East Central College Career and Transfer Fair in the spring semester.

The Civic Engagement Committee was awarded a mini-grant to host a month of service event for students, staff and faculty.

“Our goal is to provide students, faculty and staff opportunities for personal growth,” explained Communications Instructor Shanee Haynes. “We want to give them a sense of social responsibility.”

The English Department will use its mini-grant to create a writing contest for area high school students.

“The project started as a way to get local schools involved with the college and a way to get them excited for writing,” said ECC English Instructor Josh Stroup. “We are very thankful to the Foundation for helping get this idea off the ground and to help connect us and our programs to the community.”

ECC Seeking Nominations for 2017 “Outstanding Alumni Award”

February 22, 2017 | Campus News

The East Central College Alumni Association established the Outstanding Alumni Award in 2002. Since that time, it has set out to recognize alumni who have set an example for ECC graduates by using their college education and serving their community.

“Each year, thousands of students begin or continue their professional journey at ECC,” noted Shannon Grus who serves as executive director of the Foundation.  “Through March 31 we will accept nominations of former ECC students who have gone on to become leaders in their professions and positively impacted their community.”

To be considered for the Outstanding Alumni Award, nominees must have completed a college credit course at ECC at some point in their educational journey.  Attainment of a degree or certificate from ECC is preferred but not required.  Nominees must also be looked upon by their peers as leaders in their field, with a demonstrated commitment to community.   Residency within the college district is not required.  An explanation of 500 words or less as to why the person is worthy of consideration should accompany the nomination.

Nominate someone who is making a difference in the community today!

Selection will be determined by a committee drawn from ECC alumni and the Foundation.  The 2017 award will be presented at the East Central College commencement ceremony on the Union campus Saturday, May 20.

Past recipients include:  2002-Tanya Voss; 2003-John Griesheimer; 2004-Tom Robertson; 2005-Chris Manhart; 2006-Deborah Koelling; 2007-Tammy Watz and Dr. Frank Miller; 2008-Ken Schmidt; 2009-Chris Stuckenschneider;  2010-Ann Schroeder; 2011-Ted Coburn, 2012-Linda Mahon, 2013-Joseph Purschke, 2014-Amy Wildhaber, 2015-Tony Kreutz, and 2016 David Arand.

 

Annual Meeting Set for January 28

January 8, 2016 | Campus News

The annual meeting of the East Central College Foundation is scheduled for Thursday, January 28, 2016.  The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in Buescher Hall, Room 238 on the ECC campus in Union.

At the annual meeting, the slate of nominations for the offices of directors of the ECC Foundation board for 2016 will be presented.  The oath of office will be administered to the newly elected and returning directors.  The Foundation board is composed of 25 individuals from businesses, professions, and community services. Directors take an active role in fundraising and membership activities, finance and investment planning, and supervision of planned gifts and endowments.

Shannon Grus, executive director of the Foundation, will deliver the annual report.

All persons interested in the advancement and growth of East Central College shall be eligible for membership in the Foundation.  Members shall have made a $50 value contribution for each Foundation fiscal year or portion thereof.  Contributions made within a period of 60 days prior to the commencement of a fiscal year will be considered as payment in full through the following fiscal year period.  Members shall receive all services provided to the membership.

Established in 1975, the East Central College Foundation supports the growth and development of East Central College in whatever ways might be beneficial to students, staff, and facilities. It solicits and receives tax-deductible gifts which are managed for the benefit of the college and its students. It is chartered as a non-profit 501 (c)3 organization for educational purposes.

The ECC Foundation provided more than $180,000 in scholarships to more than 150 students this academic year.

For information regarding the ECC Foundation, call 636-584-6506 or email: foundation@eastcentral.edu.

$600,000 in Tax Credits Approved for ECC Project

November 24, 2015 | Campus News

East Central College has been approved to receive up to $600,000 in tax credits from the Missouri Development Finance Board to assist with fundraising efforts to create the Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Workforce Training adjacent to ECC’s main campus in Union.

The tax credits will be available to individuals, corporations and funders that contribute to the ECC Foundation campaign to raise $1.2 million to renovate the former Gala Center into a facility for technical education and workforce training.

“We thank the Missouri Development Finance Board for their support of this project,” noted Dr. Jon Bauer, ECC president.  “This speaks volumes about the enormous benefits this project will have for our area.”

Bauer noted that any taxpayer – including any charitable organization that is exempt from federal income tax and whose Missouri unrelated business taxable income, if any, would be subject to the state income tax – would be entitled to the tax credit.

Contributors will receive a 50 percent Infrastructure Development Fund Tax Credit based upon their contribution.  A $20,000 contribution would result in a $10,000 tax credit which could be used by the contributor to pay certain taxes due to the State of Missouri.

The credits may be used to offset income tax, franchise tax or financial institution tax.  They can also be transferred to another taxpayer.

The tax credits issued by the Board cannot be refunded or carried-back.  They can be carried forward to offset future tax liabilities for up to five years and could be applicable when filing a 2015 tax return. The tax credit certificate need not be completely used on one return. Portions of the credit can be used in each of the succeeding five years to pay tax liabilities owed to the State of Missouri.

Shannon Grus, executive director of the ECC Foundation, stated that the tax credits will allow the Foundation to engage the civic and business community to help support the continued growth of East Central College.  “People can begin making donations immediately, with the minimum donation set at $1,000,” noted Grus. “Donations can be in the form of a check, wire transfer, or marketable securities, but must be made by December 31, 2017.”

Complete details are available at the ECC Foundation website.

ECC purchased the former Gala Center in April for $1.2 million. The renovation of the property will allow the college to expand its technical education programs in Industrial Engineering Technology and Precision Machining which are currently housed at Four Rivers Career Center in Washington.  ECC’s Heating/Ventilation/Air Conditioning program will be relocated from the main campus to the renovated facility. The Center for Workforce Development, as well as labs and classrooms dedicated to workforce training, are also planned for the renovated space.

In September the college was awarded a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Commerce Department’s Economic Development Administration. “Combining the EDA grant funds, tax credits, institutional resources, and other donations through the ECC Foundation will make it possible for us to renovate the space into almost 22,000 square feet of up-to-date facilities that will benefit ECC students and the regional economy for years to come,” noted Bauer.

This fall ECC trustees authorized college administrators to apply for the MDFB’s “Tax Credit for Contribution” program which encourages private contributions toward public projects across the state.

Bauer stated that renovations should begin early next year, with the relocation of the programs expected before the start of 2016 fall semester classes.

High Schoolers Complete STEM Academy

July 2, 2015 | Campus News

Students from four area high schools participated in East Central College’s inaugural STEM Scholars Academy June 22-30.

Funded with a grant from the ECC Foundation, the Academy gave students the opportunity to work with ECC faculty on activities related to science, technology and math.

“We covered a variety of topics each day,” noted Fatemeh Nichols, chair of ECC’s science and engineering division.  “We began with lab safety and moved on to wetland ecology, environmental chemistry, terrestrial ecology, biotechnology, plant physiology, mathematics, microbiology and human anatomy.”  On the final day, the students selected an ECC instructor who will serve as their mentor as they work on a STEM related project during the upcoming school year.

“I was impressed with the willingness of the students to try different things and not just do what was comfortable for them,” Nichols noted.  “They were intelligent, conscientious and not afraid to ask questions.  I appreciated their eagerness to learn more.”

Nichols stated that students were asked at the beginning of the academy what field they were interested in the most.  “For many of them that choice had changed at the end of seven days because they decided they wanted to push themselves to do more.”  The academy was open to students who had completed their freshman or sophomore year of high school.

Participating students included:  Thomas Ley, Anna Miller and Kallista Stubblefield from New Haven; Charlie Penrod from St. Clair; Sam Emily, Alex Hanneken and Cole Parsons from Union; and Grace Birk and Madi Deters from Washington.

Nichols plans to offer the Academy next year to new students and also give this original group the opportunity to return for more advanced study.

Nine area high school students at East Central College’s Summer STEM Academy
Nine area high school students participated in East Central College’s Summer STEM Academy June 22-30. ECC faculty members worked with the students on activities and experiments related to science, technology and math.