West Windsor, N.J. –  The Mercer County Community College Foundation's annual “Spring Into Student Success” gala has raised nearly $60,000 for the college’s student scholarship fund.

The 32nd annual event, which took place May 4 at the Hyatt Regency in Princeton, was the first in-person celebration of philanthropy at MCCC in over three years. More than 175 donors, alumni, friends, staff, benefactors and community members gathered to honor MCCC’s donors who are a driving force in support of higher education.  

The evening began with a cocktail hour and silent auction during which members of the MCCC Jazz Band performed. Introductions and greetings from MCCC Foundation board members and MCCC President Deborah Preston were followed by a sit-down dinner, an audio-visual compilation of honoree and student-success stories, and honoree awards presentations.

Four distinguished honorees from Mercer County marked the 2023 “Spring Into Student Success” event. Capital Health & Trenton Health Team, Inc. received the Innovative Partnership Award;  The Tuchman Foundation received the Spirit of Education Award, Aamir Rehman received the Distinguished Service Award, and Bristol Myers Squibb received the Student Impact Award.

Chairman of Capital Healthcare's Board of Trustees Samuel J. Plumeri, Jr. was the recipient of the “Innovative Partnership Award” along with Capital Healthcare's CEO Al Maghazehe and Trenton Health Team Inc., for their newly established Trenton Neighborhood Initiative. Plumeri said, “We certainly value our partnership with Mercer County Community College and we look forward to doing more.”

MCCC Board of Trustees Chair Kristin Appelget commented, “I am grateful for the commitments to MCCC from community members, businesses and organizations who recognize and support our students, faculty and staff with their generous donations.”

MCCC’s Vice President of College Advancement and Executive Director of the MCCC Foundation Joseph Claffey, who provided opening remarks at the gala, also expressed his gratitude to the honorees and to everyone who supports Mercer County Community College.  

“Hundreds of Mercer County Community College students rely on scholarship funds for financial assistance each year,” Claffey said. “The college is extremely grateful for the generosity of our donors. Every scholarship dollar received makes a positive difference in our students’ lives by making a Mercer County Community College education that much more affordable.”

MCCC Foundation Board Member Lori Danko, who chaired the Spring Into Student Success event along with MCCC Foundation Board Member Savita Lachman said, “Mercer County Community College is a gem in our backyard that gives back to students and the community every day.”

The event also marked Dr. Deborah E. Preston’s first fundraiser gala as president of MCCC.

“Dr. Preston represents the beginning of a new era at Mercer County Community College,” said Melissa Tenzer, Foundation Board Member and CEO of Dress For Success Central NJ  who served on the event Committee for the gala . “We are all so happy to work with her vision to help improve the lives of our Mercer County Community C ollege students,” Tenzer said. No matter what stage in life our students are, they deserve a great education.”  

The Mercer County Community College Foundation has been in existence since 1976. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised millions of dollars to help students achieve their education goals and dreams.  

For more information about the Mercer County Community College Foundation visit  www.mccc.edu/foundation.

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About Mercer County Community College
Established in 1966, Mercer County Community College is a publicly supported comprehensive institution that provides opportunities for higher education through an open-door admission policy. The scenic 292-acre West Windsor Campus was opened in 1972 to serve the needs of Mercer County residents. MCCC’s James Kerney Campus, located in downtown Trenton, serves as an educational and cultural hub for city residents that meets the changing needs of thousands of students and community members seeking educational fulfillment and personal and career growth. President: Deborah E. Preston, Ph.D.; www.mccc.edu

 

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On Thursday, May 4, 2023 Mercer County Community College Foundation hosted its 32nd annual "Spring Into Student Success" Gala at the Hyatt Regency in Princeton. It was the first in-person celebration of philanthropy at MCCC in over three years. More than 175 donors, alumni, friends, benefactors and community members gathered to honor MCCC’s donors. (Pictured above: Capital Health and Trenton Neighborhood Initiative received the MCCC Innovative Partnership Award. From left: Event co-chairs Savita Lachman and Lori Danko; President and CEO of Capital Health Al Maghazehe; Trenton Health Team CEO Gregory Paulson; and President of Mercer County Community College, Deborah E. Preston.)