Gregg and Leann Fischer

Local residents and longtime supporters of Barton Community College Gregg and Leann Fischer will help the Barton Foundation kick-off the Academic Enrichment Fund Campaign on March 1 as honorary co-chairs for the fundraising effort. The month-long annual campaign raises money for academic scholarships for Barton students and programs.

 "We are honored to be chosen as the co-chairs, and we are hopeful that we will be able to enhance the effectiveness of the campaign this year," Leann said. "We've lived here all our lives and understand the community and the value the college has for the community. We have really been able to see the importance of what Barton can provide for a lot of families over the years."

 Director of the Barton Foundation, Darnell Holopirek, said the goal for this year is $35,000.

 "We feel this goal is very reachable," she said. "I like to remind people that you don't have to give a huge chunk of money and that every little bit adds up and helps."

 Life-time residents of the area, Gregg and Leann have two daughters Stacey and Nicole, who both utilized Barton's offerings as high school students. "The classes they took in high school through Barton really helped give them a head start at KSU," Gregg said. "It's just one great example of how Barton positively impacts those within our local communities."

 A former chair of the Barton Foundation Board of Directors, Gregg sees his role as co-chair as a chance to raise awareness for the college and show people just how many great opportunities are available at Barton for not only their children, but for themselves.

 "There is more at Barton than most people realize," he said. "A lot of people that have lived here all their lives have never really seen how much Barton has progressed. Sometimes the things that are right in your backyard you know less about than certain things that are far away."

Gregg said that although times are tough financially, that acts of generosity and donations are still possible if everyone works together. "As people go through life, at some point it's likely that they will hit some kind of economic downturn, but usually it doesn't hit everybody equally at the same time," he said. "If you give when you can, and others give when they can and maybe you cannot, it tends to balance out."

 As AEF Campaign co-chairs, the Fisher's will be sending a letter to businesses and individuals encouraging them to think about giving an endowed scholarship or adding to one they have already established to help students with their education.

The theme of the campaign this year is "Give Where You Live". With this theme we hope to make donors realize that it truly is important to give where you live. Fundraising efforts, especially when it comes to alumni, are much more difficult for 2 year institutions than 4 year universities. It is understandable that most individuals have a stronger loyalty to the college where the earned their degree. But once they have that degree it is also important for them to support the community where they have chosen to live, hone, and implement those skills to make a living and support their families. This campaign gives each member of the community an opportunity to participate in the support of the advancement of academics at Barton. Each donation no matter how large or small makes a huge difference. The Foundation relies on its partnership with the communities that benefit both economically and altruistically from its mission.

The 2012 Academic Enrichment Fund campaign is a year-long campaign that kicks off each year in March. Donors are encouraged to give throughout the year as their budgets will allow and may designate the funds to go to any department or program on campus that they desire or simply donate to the general scholarship.

 

 

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