As reported by the Gadsden State press release the Gadsden State Community College’s Cardinal Foundation has received several recent donations and scholarships that will continue to enhance educational opportunities for students across the region. The Cardinal Foundation is a non-profit support organization working to make 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.”The Folsom and the Cardinal Foundation Board of Directors work throughout the year to secure donations for college programs and scholarships that align with the mission of Gadsden State. Recent contributions include endowed scholarships, grants, and community investments that will directly benefit students at the college. The Tim and Laura McCartney Career Technical Education Scholarship Fund was established by the McCartneys in 2020.  To date, 15 students have benefited from this fund, which offers three $1,500 scholarships annually to students training in construction trades programs. This year, the McCartneys contributed additional funding to the endowment to ensure the long-term health of the scholarship.“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.”

“Endowing a scholarship provides for perpetuity in giving as the funds are invested and only a portion of the fund is accessed for scholarship purposes each year,” Folsom 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 offers $1,500 scholarships to assist students with tuition, books, tools, and fees. One scholarship per campus is awarded annually. Steve Hildebrant, past president of the Cardinal Foundation, has committed to the continued funding of these scholarships.

Stephen and April LaFollette of Anniston have established a scholarship to assist first-generation college students with an interest in Health Sciences. Their donation will provide two scholarships for students pursuing a degree 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,” the former Gadsden State student said. “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.”

The Cardinal Foundation recently received a $5,000 grant through the Walmart Spark Good Grant Program. This grant will be used by the College’s Police and Public Safety Department to purchase supplies for officers, enhancing safety and security on Gadsden State’s five campuses. The Walmart Spark Good initiative brings together all of Walmart and Sam’s Club’s community giving programs to support important causes like public safety at educational institutions.

The Cardinal Foundation was also awarded a $10,000 grant from the S. Adam Schloss Foundation to support the Biology Department. Schloss and Jen Creech, a nurse practitioner, visited Gadsen State’s Cadaver Lab, which is led by Phillip Snider, a long-time science instructor. Gadsden State is the only community college to have a cadaver lab for instructional purposes. During the visit, Schloss and Creech engaged with anatomy students, reviewed curriculum and observed the hands-on learning experience the lab provides.

Tommie Goggans, president of the Cardinal Foundation, emphasized 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.”