Seward County Community College and Foundation leaders publicly announced the first multi-million dollar campaign in the institution’s 50-year history, with the good news that more than half of the $6 million goal has been raised for capital projects. 

Thanks to the vision and generosity of alumni and friends, and the hard work of the Campaign Leadership Committee and Foundation, $3.6 million has been raised to date for two capital projects – The Sharp Family Champions Center and The Colvin Family Allied Health Center.

“We have never attempted a multi-million dollar campaign,” said Stephanie Ormiston, member of the Foundation Board and Campaign Committee.  “The support of the Kent and Molly Colvin Family and the Jo Ann and Gene Sharp Family have made these projects viable. With their leadership gifts and the support of others, we have reached the 60 percent mark of the campaign.”

ALLIED HEALTH CENTER

 “This College’s Allied Health programs are essential to healthcare across 20 Kansas counties, and another 20 counties in Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado,” said SCCC President, Dr. Ken Trzaska. “The new technology in a new Allied Health Center is a necessity for quality healthcare in Southwest Kansas.  If you’ve been to a hospital in this region, one of our graduates has probably been your caregiver.”

“I’ve lived in this community all my life, but even I was surprised to see the numbers that show the impact our graduates make on healthcare for the entire region,” said Al Shank, Campaign Leadership Committee.  

Another $1.4 million in gifts are needed to reach the $3 million mark on the Allied Health Center project. The new Allied Health Center will be constructed on the main campus of SCCC, adjacent to the Hobble Academic Building.

CHAMPIONS CENTER

Currently, there are no locker rooms for baseball and softball players.  They change in their dorm rooms.  There is no clubhouse.  There is also no indoor practice facility, which would allow for winter and spring conditioning and practice.  That will change with the Champions Center, which will provide a 26,000 sq. ft. indoor infield along with other amenities. 

“Before the Great Recession (2008-10), several community members and I discussed getting an indoor facility built,” said Gary Dunnam, Campaign Leadership Committee.  “The idea sat on the shelf until a couple of years ago when the Students First Community Always Campaign was launched.  It is amazing to see how far we have gotten.  We need a little more help.”

The Champions Center project is $1 million away from its goal of $3 million.  

“Given the College’s many years of baseball success with Galen McSpadden, and the presence and history of the Liberal Bee Jays, this makes sense for our student athletes,” said Dunnam.  “Other colleges in our conference have this kind of a facility and we have to be able to compete.”

THE CAMPAIGN.  Foundation President Duane Bozarth, and College Trustee John Engel, both members of the Campaign Leadership Committee, encourage those interested in supporting the two projects to call the Foundation.

“We have donors who have really stepped up to help the Foundation and College reach $3.6 million,” said Engel.  “We have many donors who are making the single largest gift and pledge they have ever made to a single campaign.  Most are making a gift over three to five years.  We are grateful.  It takes that kind of philanthropy to make projects like these a reality.”

“The College is an economic engine for Liberal and Southwest Kansas,” said Bozarth. “More than 2,600 students and thousands more come each year to Liberal for athletics, workshops, conferences and association gatherings.  We know a strong college makes for a strong community.”

We need your help to complete the STUDENTS FIRST COMMUNITY ALWAYS CAMPAIGN.  You are encouraged to call on Tammy Doll at the College Foundation , 620-417-1131, [email protected], or speak with a member of the Campaign Leadership Committee identified in this story.  Generations of students will benefit from your charitable giving.