2021 was a challenging year, as Covid affected our lives in every way. However, we have many reasons to be thankful. At the top of my gratitude list is the staff at the Foundation. I am pleased to welcome three new members to our staff: Juo Ting Jennings, annual giving and alumni coordinator; Tracy Curtis, director of development; and Terri Perez, accounting specialist. It’s also good to have Von Allen back with us after a leave. With their expertise in nonprofit work and passion for our mission, we are beginning to see a little normalcy return to our work.
For the first time since the pandemic, the Foundation hosted a safe and socially distanced fundraising event that raised more than $30,000, or the equivalent of 60 scholarships. We are grateful to everyone who attended and contributed. I’m especially proud of our Foundation Board of Trustees for sponsoring the event so that 100 percent of funds donated went directly to scholarships.
One of our favorite annual events is our employee giving campaign. We are humbled that more than 150 of our faculty and staff made a commitment to our students through the campaign. The name of the week-long event is “We Can” – a fitting name for a campaign that shows together, as a campus community, we can do so much to improve the lives of our students.
2022 is going to be a very special year for OCCC. We are thrilled to be celebrating the College’s 50th anniversary. The year will be filled with activities looking back to 1972 when the college sprang to life from a dirt field in South Oklahoma City, and looking forward to the increasingly important role we play in the vibrant Oklahoma City community.
Finally, I wish to take this opportunity to thank the individuals, families, businesses and foundations who are making a difference in the lives of those we serve. Our students leave OCCC with the capacity to have better jobs, higher salaries and more stable families – all made possible by thoughtful and generous donors.
With Gratitude,
Executive Director
