PCC Foundation Gala Raises a Record $425,000

Portland, April 10th, 2015. The gala, themed ‘An Evening for Opportunity, Lunar Landing: A Space Age Gala,’ raised funds for student scholarships and success programs. Portland Community College Foundation Board President Kimberly Cooper, president and CEO of the Fortuna Group, had a chance to catch up with Congressman Earl Blumenauer and the Executive Director of The Oregon Historical Society Kerry Tymchuk at the annual event. (Photo credit, James Hill.) The gala at Pure Space in the Pearl District raised a record $425,000. It featured 1960s space exploration as its theme and attracted more than 500 guests. Junki and Linda Yoshida, founders of locally based Yoshida Foods International, served as the honorary co-chairs.

A pillar of the gala was the celebration of the PCC Patron Award. This year’s recipients are Stephanie Fowler and Irving Levin of The Renaissance Foundation, a private philanthropic organization that creates educational opportunities, in part for first-generation, low-income students.

A highlight of the gala was the celebration of the PCC Patron Award. This year’s recipients (in their Star Trek costumes) were Stephanie Fowler and Irving Levin of The Renaissance Foundation, a private philanthropic organization that creates educational opportunities, in part for first-generation, low-income students. (Photo credit, Matt O’Brien)

The Patron Award honors a person or organization that has made a significant contribution to PCC to ensure access to education for students. Through The Renaissance Foundation, Levin and Fowler support PCC’s Future Connect Scholarship Program by providing nearly 30 students with scholarships, mentoring and other supports essential to college success. They have also just launched a new mentoring program, the Cascade African Men’s Scholars Project, at the Cascade Campus in North Portland that matches 10 mentors with 30 students.

About Portland Community College: PCC is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and 19th largest in the nation, serving approximately 90,000 full- and part-time students. PCC, which is roughly the size of Rhode Island, has four comprehensive campuses, eight workforce training and education centers, and 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. The PCC district encompasses a 1,500-square-mile area in northwest Oregon and offers two-year degrees, one-year certificate programs, short-term training, alternative education, pre-college courses and life-long learning.

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Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.