Gadsden, AL – Gadsden State Community College’s Cardinal Foundation has recently received several significant donations and scholarships aimed at enhancing educational opportunities for students across the region. The Cardinal Foundation, a non-profit support organization, is dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of Gadsden State students pursuing their academic and career goals.
“We deeply appreciate our partners who help us to impact this region by providing educational opportunities for students served by Gadsden State Community College,” said Hillary Folsom, director of Advancement and Alumni Relations. “We know donors have numerous choices for philanthropy, and we are grateful for the trust and confidence in us.”
Folsom and the Cardinal Foundation Board of Directors work throughout the year to secure donations for college programs and scholarships aligned with Gadsden State’s mission. Recent contributions include endowed scholarships, grants, and community investments that will directly benefit students at the college.
Scholarships Providing Long-Term Support
The Tim and Laura McCartney Career Technical Education Scholarship Fund, established in 2020, has benefited 15 students training in construction trades programs. Offering three $1,500 scholarships annually, the fund received additional contributions this year to ensure its longevity.
“The Gadsden State Cardinal Foundation is an excellent steward of the dollars managed for student scholarships and college needs,” said fund holder Tim McCartney. “We are thrilled to again contribute to our scholarship fund, enabling three students to further their education in the construction trades.”
Folsom emphasized the lasting impact of endowed scholarships. “Endowing a scholarship provides for perpetuity in giving as the funds are invested and only a portion is accessed for scholarships each year,” she said. “We are grateful to the McCartneys for committing to this scholarship and our College for years to come.”
Another scholarship receiving additional funding is the Swoop Sprint Scholarship, which provides $1,500 per student to assist with tuition, books, tools, and fees. One scholarship is awarded annually at each Gadsden State campus, with Steve Hildebrant, past president of the Cardinal Foundation, committing to continued funding.
Stephen and April LaFollette of Anniston have established a new scholarship to support first-generation college students interested in Health Sciences. Their donation will fund two scholarships for students pursuing degrees at Gadsden State. Their inspiration came from their daughter, Caroline, who had a transformative experience at Gadsden State’s Cadaver Lab while preparing for physical therapy school.
“My time at Gadsden State’s Cadaver Lab was so wildly influential,” said the former Gadsden State student. “It gave me hands-on experience I couldn’t find anywhere else in the state. Tactile learning made the material engaging in a way I had never experienced, and it’s something that changed my life and I will never forget.”
Grants Enhancing Campus Safety and Education
The Cardinal Foundation was recently awarded a $5,000 grant through the Walmart Spark Good Grant Program. This funding will assist Gadsden State’s Police and Public Safety Department in purchasing supplies to enhance security across the college’s five campuses. The Walmart Spark Good initiative aims to support important causes like public safety at educational institutions.
Additionally, the S. Adam Schloss Foundation awarded a $10,000 grant to support Gadsden State’s Biology Department. Schloss and nurse practitioner Jen Creech recently visited the college’s Cadaver Lab, led by longtime science instructor Phillip Snider. Gadsden State remains the only community college in the state to offer a cadaver lab for instructional purposes. During their visit, Schloss and Creech engaged with anatomy students, reviewed curriculum, and observed the hands-on learning experience the lab provides.
Responsible Stewardship of Donations
Tommie Goggans, president of the Cardinal Foundation, underscored the importance of responsible stewardship in managing these generous contributions.
“Meeting our fiduciary responsibility is at the core of operations, and we have partnered with the Community Foundation of Northeast Alabama to offer our donors impeccable fund accounting and fund administration, as well as best-in-class institutional money management through Mason Investment Advisory Services,” he said. “These donations and scholarships represent a commitment to the future of Gadsden State students and are a testament to the community’s ongoing support of the college and its programs.”
