A Warm Welcome
"It's very important that we give everybody the tools to go to school, and it's important to bring awareness to ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË Community College because it is a hidden jewel right here in our community." – ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË Foundation board member Gary Rome
¿ì²¥³ÉÈË Community College President George Timmons received a warm community welcome during a reception September 12 at the Gary Rome Hyundai dealership on Whiting Farms Road.
It was the first public reception for Timmons, who began his tenure as ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË's fifth president on July 13.
"As a business leader in the community, it is an honor to host President Timmons and introduce him at our dealership," said Rome. "Together, we can join forces and accomplish great things for the future of ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË."
The reception followed the quarterly meeting of the ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË Foundation Board of Directors, on which Rome and President Timmons both sit.
"We are excited to work with President Timmons," said ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË Foundation Board chair Corey Murphy, president of First American Insurance Agency. "He is clear about wanting ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË to be acknowledged nationally for its efforts to support and inspire ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs, and he is eager to connect with donors to help us get there."
The reception included the presentation of a $5,000 check from Rome to the ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË Foundation for the benefit of ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË's Thrive Student Resource Center, which provides essential resources and support to ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs dealing with challenges such as food and housing insecurity.
"Mr. Rome has clearly shown his dedication to ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË and to the work the college is doing to help ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs achieve their academic and career goals, and we are very grateful for his donation," Timmons said.
Those in attendance included members of the 27-member ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË Foundation Board, as well as members of the ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË Board of Trustees and others from the community.
In addition to being on the ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË Foundation board, Rome is a regular donor, vocal advocate for ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË, and partner in ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË's annual April "Together ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË: Drive to Change Lives" 24-hour fundraising campaign.
"The money we raised that day goes to the President's Student Emergency Fund and Thrive Center to help ¿ì²¥³ÉÈËs facing food insecurity and housing insecurity," said Rome. "It's very important that we give everybody the tools to go to school, and it's important to bring awareness to ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË Community College because it is a hidden jewel right here in our community."
PHOTOS: (Thumbnail) President George Timmons shakes hands with Robert Gilbert, chair of the ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË Board of Trustees. (Above) ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË President George Timmons, center, accepts a ceremonial $5,000 donation check from Gary Rome, right. (Amanda Sbriscia, ¿ì²¥³ÉÈË vice president of Institutional Advancement is holding the check on the left)
