The Jefferson College Foundation recently received an anonymous $150,000 donation, said Blake Tilley, the foundation’s executive director.
He announced the donation at the college’s Jan. 12 Board of Trustees meeting.
Tilley said Jefferson College received the donation in December, and it will be used to offer scholarships to high school students who participate in the college’s Area Technical School once they enroll in college-level courses.
For example, high school students enrolled in the ATS welding program who receive the scholarships could use the money to help pay for expenses once they begin taking college-level welding technology program courses at Jefferson College.
In addition to welding, the scholarships are available to students in five other ATS programs – automotive technology; precision manufacturing technology; heating, ventilation and air-conditioning; fire science to EMT; and EMT to paramedic.
“The gift is endowed, so the interest on it will allow for $1,000 scholarships for six students each year in perpetuity,” Tilley said. “We believe this is the largest anonymous gift the foundation has ever received.”
He said the first wave of scholarships will be available for the college’s fall 2023 semester.
Suzanne Richardson, senior director of the college’s ATS program, said she appreciates the donation. “It creates greater opportunities for students to have pathways to Jefferson College,” she said.