The Council for Advancement and Support of Education has announced the 2016 recipients of its Benefactor Award, which recognizes individuals, foundations, businesses or corporations which embody the ideals of philanthropy, leadership and volunteerism in the service of community, technical and junior colleges.
The Council for Resource Development established the Benefactor Award in 1992. Since then, CRD has recognized more than 200 individuals and organizations. As part of an agreement with the CRD, CASE is continuing this important recognition by integrating it into the CASE awards program.
CASE recognized the winners at a luncheon at the Conference for Community College Advancement in San Diego.
This year’s Benefactor Award recipients include the Bickelhaupt Family, benefactors to Clinton Community College in Clinton, Iowa. Bob and Frances Bickelhaupt are longtime supporters of Clinton Community College. The Bickelhaupt Arboretum is a treasured part of the college that serves as a source of pride for the community and students of all ages can enjoy this outdoor museum. Clinton Community College aims to maintain the arboretum for the use of the community and build on the educational programs currently offered.
Clinton Community College president Karen Vickers commented, “The Bickelhaupt Arboretum has long been a treasure of our community; the beautiful grounds provide a sense of pride for our community and the educational offerings offer “students” of all ages the opportunity to experience this outdoor museum. As a college, we were honored to be entrusted with the future of the arboretum. Our goals are to maintain the arboretum for the use of the community and to build on the educational programs currently offered. We hope to build on the work of the Bickelhaupts and to continue their legacy.
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Other CASE Benefactor Award Recipients include:
Kenneth Baker, benefactor to Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell and Pottstown, Pennsylvania. Baker has made substantial gifts to support students at Montgomery County Community College through the KVB Scholarship. In addition, he has generously given his time, serving on the foundation’s board of directors and volunteering as a guest lecturer to share his business and marketing expertise with students. Baker is the co-founder and co-chair of the STEM Executive Council, which serves as a vital liaison between the college and business communities.
Wayne and Eleanor Chiu, benefactors to Bow Valley College in Alberta, Canada. The Chius have shared their time and talent over many years to advance Bow Valley College. Today, it is recognized as the largest community college in Alberta, Canada, thanks in part to the Chiu family’s volunteerism and generosity. Through their Trico Charitable Foundation, they continue to make a significant impact on the institution and the surrounding community.
Richard and Diana Milock, benefactors to Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Michigan. Since 2003, Richard and Diana Milock have given more than $2.3 million in personal contributions and gifts through the Begonia Charitable Foundation-including one $2 million gift, the largest gift to NMC from a living donor. Through their generosity, NMC expanded the permanent collection galleries at the Dennos Museum Center, improved loading dock functionality, provided a new classroom for audio technology programs, supported student scholarships and will develop a new student lounge.
Hap and Marcia Wagner, benefactors to Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Wagner family’s association with Northampton Community College began in 1994 when Hap, then the CEO of Air Products and Chemicals, agreed to serve as the college’s Hal Shaffer Executive-in-Residence. Hap and Marcia Wagner established two full-tuition scholarships for educationally and economically disadvantaged students, which have supported more than 40 students. In 2002, the couple served as honorary chairs of the college’s first campaign, raising more than $14.2 million by leveraging their own giving to encourage others to give.
About CASE
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is a professional association serving educational institutions and the advancement professionals who work on their behalf in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and allied areas.
CASE was founded in 1974 and maintains headquarters in Washington, D.C., with offices in London (CASE Europe, 1994), Singapore (CASE Asia-Pacific, 2007) and Mexico City (CASE América Latina, 2011).
Today, CASE’s membership includes more than 3,670 colleges and universities, primary and secondary independent and international schools, and nonprofit organizations in more than 80 countries around the globe. This makes CASE one of the world’s largest nonprofit educational associations in terms of institutional membership. CASE serves nearly 81,000 advancement practitioners on the staffs of its member institutions and has more than 17,000 professional members on its roster.
To fulfill their missions and to meet both individual and societal needs, colleges, universities and independent schools rely on—and therefore must foster—the good will, active involvement, informed advocacy and enduring support of alumni, donors, prospective students, parents, government officials, community leaders, corporate executives, foundation officers and other external constituencies.
CASE helps its members build stronger relationships with all of these constituencies by providing relevant research, supporting growth in the profession and fostering support of education. CASE also offers a variety of advancement products and services, provides standards and an ethical framework for the profession and works with other organizations to respond to public issues of concern while promoting the importance of education worldwide.
