Lakeshore College Foundation Marks 50 Years With $50 Campaign
The Lakeshore College Foundation is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a fundraising campaign designed to support the next generation of students.
The “$50 for 50 Years” campaign invites alumni, faculty, staff, donors, community members and other supporters to contribute $50, although gifts of any amount are welcome. Donations may be made as one-time contributions or recurring gifts.
Since its founding in 1976, the Foundation has helped thousands of Lakeshore College students overcome financial obstacles, complete their education and prepare for careers throughout the Lakeshore region.
Fifty Years of Supporting Lakeshore Students
The Lakeshore College Foundation provides scholarships, emergency financial assistance and funding for educational programs intended to improve student success.
Foundation support can help students pay tuition and educational expenses, remain enrolled during unexpected financial hardships and gain access to programs that prepare them for careers needed by local employers.
The organization says those investments benefit more than individual students. Graduates enter the regional workforce, support their families and contribute to the economic strength of communities throughout Sheboygan and Manitowoc counties.
“For 50 years, the generosity of our donors has opened doors for Lakeshore students,” Lakeshore College Foundation Executive Director Courtney Phillippi said. “Every scholarship, emergency grant, and opportunity created started with someone choosing to invest in a student’s future.”
Phillippi said the anniversary campaign gives residents an opportunity to recognize the Foundation’s history while helping it continue its work for another generation.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we’re inviting our community to help us build the next 50 years of impact,” she said.
Scholarships Provide More Than Financial Assistance
For Lakeshore Nursing Assistant student Anja Verce, receiving a scholarship provided both practical assistance and personal encouragement.
“This scholarship is more than financial help for me. It’s encouragement that keeps me motivated to keep going and do my best,” Verce said. “Knowing that my community believes in me means a lot and makes me even more determined to give back through my future work in healthcare.”
Her experience reflects one of the Foundation’s central goals: helping students remain focused on their education when financial concerns might otherwise interrupt or end their studies.
Scholarships can reduce the burden of tuition, books, transportation, childcare and other expenses associated with attending college. Emergency assistance can also help students manage sudden hardships that threaten their ability to remain enrolled.
Foundation-funded programs support educational initiatives that prepare graduates for changing workplace needs across the region.
Donations Support Students and the Regional Workforce
Money raised through the “$50 for 50 Years” campaign will directly support scholarships, emergency student assistance and educational initiatives.
The campaign is open to anyone who wants to recognize the Foundation’s anniversary or invest in local students. Supporters are encouraged to give $50 in honor of the 50-year milestone, but the Foundation emphasizes that every contribution can help.
Lakeshore College, formerly known as Lakeshore Technical College, serves more than 9,000 students annually. The college offers career-focused programs, technical education and opportunities for students beginning their path toward a bachelor’s degree.
Approximately 800 students graduate from Lakeshore each year. The college operates its main campus at 1290 North Avenue in Cleveland and maintains learning campuses in downtown Sheboygan and Manitowoc.
People interested in supporting the anniversary campaign can donate at lakeshore.edu/foundation50.
Have you attended Lakeshore College, received support from the Foundation or hired a Lakeshore graduate? Share your experience in the comments, and consider sharing this story with someone who may want to support local students.
