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College donations up sharply
While many worry about the financial forecast for the coming year, Dr. John Sygielski, president of Lord Fairfax Community College, is highly optimistic. And with good reason.
The college's educational foundation recently announced that it raised more than $1.2 million in 2007, a 156 percent increase over 2006 donations .
While 317 donors contributed in 2006, a total of 439 gave in 2007, including 244 new donors. That does not include pledges or future estate gifts.
Sygielski's optimism for 2008 is actually due to the current economic gloominess.
“In a tight economy, more students will attend [LFCC],” he said, reflecting the belief that people will need to prepare for a changing workforce.
Community donations are critical to LFCC.
In 2007, state funds provided 55 percent of the college's budget; this year's state allocation is still up in the air.
Last year, Fauquier County residents gave 8.9 percent of the $1.2 million total cash donations, amounting to almost $111,000.
In addition to providing scholarships, donated money goes to other community outreach efforts, such as the college's dental hygiene program, which administers dental care to those who cannot afford it.
Linnie Carter, vice president of college advancement and executive director of the LFCC Educational Foundation, said that Lord Fairfax also offers day-care scholarships for single-parent students and maintains an emergency fund for unexpected student financial hardships.
“We are non-traditional in every sense of the word,” Carter said. “Not only do we assist students with academic scholarships, but with things that help with real-life challenges.”
E-mail the reporter: afelts@timespapers.com.
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