Spoon River College President Dr. Curt Oldfield welcomed SRC Foundation donors and guests to the annual President’s Reception held April 23 at the Canton Campus. The event honors those who have reached specific levels of cumulative giving to the Foundation, those who established new named endowed scholarships in 2023, as well as Foundation Board members for their service. Along with President Oldfield, Dustin Berg, Foundation Director, and Bruce Beal, SRC Foundation Chair, presented certificates of recognition and tokens of appreciation to donors.

New permanently endowed scholarships established in 2023 were The Kost Family Scholarship, The McPheeters Family Scholarship, Russell and Esther Morris Scholarship Trust, Thomas R. Pettit Memorial Scholarship, Verna Sandall Memorial Scholarship, and the Craig M. Zilly Memorial Scholarship.

Additions to the Friend level ($1,000-$4,999) included Caitlyn Behymer, Billy’s Tap, Buckheart Solar, Jason and Andra Chamberlin & Family, David and Jackie Demler, First Christian Church of Canton, Anthony R. Groves, Jones Survey & Engineering Corporation, Carol Kohler, Christopher R. Leighton, Ellen Melton, Mid-Illinois Companies Corporation, Eric Pollitt, Rescigno’s, Peggy A. Roberts, Toni D. Sayers, Andrea Thomson, Elizabeth Wilbers, Jeff Yerbic, Ron & Cheryl Bielema, Margaret Branson, Jeffery L. Burkhead, Davis & Campbell, Ralph Grimm, Susan N. Juliusson, Kim Kurtz, Kim Lusk, Geoffrey Monari, Jack and Mary Pollitt, Nikki I. Rittenhouse, Franki Ruck, Tenacious, Inc., Nick Tinsman, and Pamela Willison.

Those being honored at the Ambassador level ($5,000-$9,999) were Bar-Mac Farms, Gary & Darlene King, Mason District Hospital, Mr. & Mrs. Rusty Melhouse, Spoon River Garden Club, Dr. and Mrs. William Buckley, Denise & Art Kirgan, Randy and Susie McMillen, Snappers Booster Club, and Grant & Irene Stauffer.

Benefactor level ($10,000-$24,999) honorees were Cook Medical, First Christian Church of Macomb, Holthaus Companies Inc. Roofing Contractors, Robbin & Jodie Kost, Vernal Sandall, Dr. and Mrs. Ramayya Gowda, George D. & Amber Lercher, and Marlene Thompson.

Recognized at the Honorary Director level ($25,000-$49,000) were Compeer Financial, Kenneth & Nina Long, The Jackson L. & Bette A. Williams Foundation, Charles and Carol Haggerty, and Dr. Roland G. Pettit.

Russell and Esther Morris were added to the President’s Council level ($50,000-$99,999), and Mr. and Mrs. Lynn McPheeters joined the Founder Level ($100,000 and up) level of giving.

Esmeralda Uribe, newly elected Student Trustee for the 2024-2025 academic year and scholarship recipient, spoke about the importance of scholarships in helping students complete their education.

Outgoing SRC Foundation board members Bruce Beal and Nick Tinsman were recognized for their time of service on the Foundation board.

The SRC Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) organization, and offers a wide variety of scholarships as well as support to the college every year. For more information about the Foundation or a potential gift to SRC, contact the Foundation at (309) 649-6260 or email foundation@src.edu.

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