Hundreds of
Lives Touched
2023-24 Report to the Community
Your generosity has shaped a brighter future! Thanks to your support, we've reached new heights again this year. Together, we’re creating lasting change, and we couldn't have done it without you.
Message from the President
Dear Friends,
I'm thrilled to share with you the tremendous accomplishments of this past year, made possible by your support and generosity. Your commitment has been the cornerstone of our success, and it is with deep gratitude that I report on the impact of your contributions.
In 2023-2024, your generosity helped us raise over $600,000! Including a significant bequest, total funds raised surpassed $1.1 million—a truly remarkable achievement. With your support, we were able to disburse a record-breaking $1.3 million to the campus, directly benefiting hundreds of students and numerous programs.
Over the year, $970,000 was provided in student scholarships! Beyond scholarships, your contributions touched many additional areas of need, providing vital support through student emergency funds, addressing food insecurity through the Cougar Pantry, and helping to create a new library creative space. Your gifts have enhanced academic programs as well, with investments in music masterclasses, cutting-edge radiography equipment, a visiting artist series, our Veteran’s OASIS, and numerous academic program initiatives.
There is no doubt that your support changes lives. The opportunities you have made possible help students overcome obstacles, gain essential skills, and pursue their dreams. The ripple effects of your generosity are felt not just within our campus but throughout the broader community.
As you reflect on the incredible strides we've made together, I hope you feel a profound sense of pride in what you’ve helped accomplish. On behalf of the MCC Foundation Board of Directors, thank you for believing in our mission and for continuing to invest in the future of our students and community.
With sincere gratitude,
Peter Grose
President, MCC Foundation
YEAR AT A GLANCE
521
The number of contributors who supported MCC Foundation last year
$610,000
Funds Contributed by our dedicated community
$1.3 Million
A new record amount of funding was disbursed to the Campus to support students and programs
$1.1 Million
Total funds raised inclusive of a generous $500,000 Bequest
Bequest Boosts ESOL Education
at CT State Manchester
In a tribute to the enduring spirit of perseverance and the American Dream, a generous bequest by Thomas F. Goldman has established the Robert and Lena Welensky Endowed Scholarship Fund at CT State Community College Manchester.
Named in honor of his immigrant grandparents, the fund supports English as a Second Language (ESOL) students, empowering them to achieve their educational goals.
Goldman, a respected professor of law and management, created this legacy to celebrate the determination and contributions of immigrants, ensuring that future generations will have the opportunity to thrive in their academic and professional pursuits.
Read the full story
BRIDGING THE GAP
Generous support from our community provides funding to help students afford tuition, textbooks, and course-required supplies.
$970,000
In scholarships awarded to
CT State Manchester Students
800+
Students received help because
of our amazing giving community
$ 1,148
Average scholarship award
Student Highlights
Audrey Herrick
After losing my mom to cancer in 2020 and my dad a year later, life has been tough. I’m currently attending CT State Manchester to become a radiation therapist, hoping to help people who have a chance to recover—something my mom didn’t get. I live with my boyfriend and our two dogs and work to support myself while pursuing my goals.
This summer, I was able to take an important class that financial aid didn’t cover, and it was only possible because of the generous people that give to MCC Foundation to support students like me. Your kindness helped me stay on track towards my dreams. I am so grateful for the opportunity to reach for my dreams. Thank you for helping to make it possible!
— Audrey H., Student at CT State Manchester
Erin Rutledge
I am sincerely grateful to have received scholarship support from MCC Foundation, which enabled me to graduate this past spring. As I worked toward completing my communication degree at Manchester, this support has been a tremendous blessing to me and my family during a time of financial challenge.
Returning to college after a twenty-year break was daunting, to say the least. I wasn’t sure if I could succeed or how I would manage the difficulties ahead. Thanks to the encouragement of Manchester’s amazing community and the critical help from donors like you, I not only thrived academically but also discovered a passion for journalism that I never expected.
Thank you for believing in me!
— Erin Rutledge ’24
Michael Edwards
I want to express my deepest gratitude to the generous MCC Foundation scholarship donors.. Your support has made a significant impact on my life and my ability to continue my education.
For the past four years, I’ve worked in the emergency department at Hartford Hospital, Through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, the long hours and difficult days have been tough, but the chance to make a difference kept me going. I’ve witnessed the resilience of patients and the dedication of healthcare professionals, which has only strengthened my commitment to this work.
Your donation arrived at a pivotal time in my life and offered me the support I needed to continue my education in the medical field. Your support hasn’t just touched my life, but will touch hundreds more as I continue to provide the best possible care to those in need. Your generosity inspires me, and I hope to pay it forward in the future by impacting others’ lives, just as you’ve impacted mine.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
— Michael Edwards
Beyond Scholarships
In addition to student support, investments were made in:
Student Emergency Support
Ensuring that a sudden challenge will not derail a student’s education
Cougar Pantry
Providing nourishment for students dealing with food insecurity
Library Creative Spaces
Fostering innovation, inquiry and connection
Music Masterclasses and Visiting Artists
Enhancing student learning in the arts
Radiography Equipment
Shaping the next generation of CT’s radiography workforce
Veterans Oasis
Offering a place for student veterans to connect
Academic Program Support
Helping to provide up-to-date learning tools and skill-enhancing experiences
Fostering Innovation
at the Brand New Makerspace
The newly completed Makerspace at Manchester's Raymond F. Damato Library is a gateway to creativity, where imagination meets cutting-edge technology.
Designed to enhance the student experience and spark curiosity, the space offers an array of tools, including a heat press, Cricut, 3D printer, 3D scanner, Glowforge Pro laser cutter, and a thermal laminator. With plenty of craft supplies and expert guidance, this is a space where ideas can be brought to life.
CHAMPIONS OF GIVING
Leaders in Generosity
Last year, seven new endowed funds were created that will provide life-changing opportunities for CT State Manchester students for generations to come.
Bill '77 and Wendy Hornbuckle Endowed Scholarship Fund
Andrew and Joan Paterna Endowed Scholarship Fund
Jessica Edwards '21 Endowed Scholarship Fund
Joseph and Julia Hanna Endowed Scholarship Fund
William Trapp Endowed Scholarship Fund
Highland Park Families Foundation Endowed Scholarship Fund
Robert and Lena Welensky Endowed Scholarship Fund
From MCC to CEO:
One Donor’s Journey
From bartending to leading one of the world's largest resorts, Bill Hornbuckle ’77 knows the power of opportunity.
As CEO of MGM Resorts International and a proud alum of Manchester Community College, Hornbuckle, along with his wife Wendy, is giving back by creating the "Bill ’77 and Wendy Hornbuckle Endowed Scholarship."
Their $100,000 gift will support future hospitality students, opening doors for the next generation to follow in his footsteps.
Read more about how Hornbuckle went from MCC to the top of his industry.
Program Investment Enriches Dental Assistant Students’ Education
Dental assistant program students at CT State Manchester campus are gaining valuable support and inspiration, thanks to the generosity of Dr. Robert Fish, for whom the dental laboratory is now named.
On October 5, 2023, the campus honored Dr. Fish, a U.S. Navy veteran and longtime local dentist, whose generosity has shaped the program’s future. His philanthropic contributions, including the creation of two endowed funds, have enhanced opportunities for students.
Dr. Fish's generosity highlights the critical, long-lasting impact philanthropy has on public higher education.
Benefactors and Volunteers Honored
The work of MCC Foundation wouldn’t be possible without the support of our incredible community of donors and volunteers. Each year, MCC Foundation hosts a heartfelt appreciation reception to honor the amazing benefactors, dedicated volunteers, alumni, and outstanding staff, faculty, and friends who share their time and resources to advance our mission towards equitable access to accessible, affordable higher education.
The 2024 Donor and Volunteer Honorees were:
MCC Foundation Director of the Year
Yvonne Martin
Foundation Benefactor of the Year
Antonacci Family Foundation
Benefactors of the Year
Leslie Ann Brown
Ted Coltman
The Estate of Thomas F. Goldman
Alumni Benefactors of the Year
Vidya Nair ’94
Thomas Skelley ’77
Volunteers of the Year
Ricardo Aragon
Albert Kim
Alumni Volunteer of the Year
Geeta Khade ’21
BEYOND THE DEGREE
Manchester Alumni Impact our World
Manchester alumni are making a lasting impact in their communities and beyond. Our most recent Distinguished Alumni Award recipients, Sena Wazer ’19 and Paul Karrer ’76, live on opposite sides of the country, experienced the college in different eras, and have pursued very different careers. Yet both exemplify the excellence, service, and success that define Manchester’s commitment to accessible higher education, and they are each making important contributions to our world.
Sena Wazer ’19
Sena Wazer achieved remarkable success at an early age. She began her educational journey at Manchester Community College at age 13, excelling academically with a perfect 4.0 GPA and earning 35 credits in General Studies. Her passion for environmental studies led her to transfer to the University of Connecticut, where she graduated summa cum laude with a BA in Environmental Studies in 2022 at the age of 18.
Since then, Wazer has continued to make waves in the environmental advocacy space as a Regional Organizer at The Climate Reality Project and an environmental justice advocate. Her dedication and leadership have earned her numerous accolades, including being named to CT Magazine's 40 Under 40 Class of 2022 and receiving the prestigious Truman Scholarship in 2021. Her commitment to making a difference in the world as a prominent voice in environmental activism serves as a shining example of the impact that passion, determination, and education can have on creating positive change in our communities.
Paul Karrer ’74
Paul H. Karrer graduated from Manchester Community College in 1974 with a degree in General Studies. His journey in education took him from the Peace Corps in Samoa to teaching in diverse communities across Connecticut, England, Korea, and California. Renowned for his insightful writing,
Paul's work has been featured in publications like the L.A. Times, New York Post and NPR journalist Michele Norris's book "Our Hidden Conversations: What Americans Really Think About Race and Identity." Through his podcast "Teacher Tails" he shares his published stories, offering a unique perspective on education and social justice.
Currently residing in Monterey, California, Paul continues to inspire with his passion for teaching and writing, alongside his wife, daughter, and beloved bull terrier Snoopy.
Generous Alumni Pay It Forward
In 2023-24:
$137,800+
in Alumni Contributions!
208
Alumni supported students at Manchester
To learn more about the MCC Alumni Association, visit www.mccgiving.org/alumni
FINANCIALS
2023-24 Revenues
Scholarships
$972,626
Program Support
$221,556
Operating
$285,419
Total
$1,479,601
*Our revenue includes a $500,000 bequest and other funds, which are designated for specific, impactful purposes that will continue to support our mission.
2023-24 Expenses
Contributions
$1,121,863
Endowment Draw
$652,339
Other Assets
$400,000
Total
$2,174,202
Message from the CEO
Dear Friends,
I want to extend my deepest gratitude for your continued support of CT State Manchester. Your generosity has made an incredible impact on the lives of our students, their families, and our entire community. Because of your commitment to equitable access to higher education, you are not only changing the trajectory of individual students but also shaping the future of our region's workforce.
At CT State Manchester, we are proud to serve approximately 6,000 students, offering a wide range of workforce training programs in fields like allied health, manufacturing, engineering, and communications. Our degree and certificate programs are designed to meet the needs of today’s job market, providing students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. Your support helps to ensure that the transformative power of education is accessible to all, regardless of their financial situation.
As a supporter, you are in the company of many donors, staff, and faculty who are also dedicated to our mission, and who share your values and commitment to making a difference. Together, we are creating opportunities that not only change individual lives but also strengthen our community by preparing a skilled and capable workforce.
As we look to the future, I hope you will continue to support our students. Your generosity makes a tremendous difference, and with your help, we can continue to provide the education and training that will empower the next generation of leaders in our region. Thank you for believing in our mission and for being such a vital part of our community.
Sincerely,
Dr. Nicole Esposito
CEO, CT State Community College Manchester
