EFSC Foundation Fundraiser Boosts Student Scholarships


May 19, 2015
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Students were the big winners Tuesday night as the Eastern Florida State College Foundation raised more than $100,000 for scholarships.

The “Build Your Future – A Celebration of Scholarship” event was the Foundation’s signature fundraiser of the year and featured an array of food and wine along with an auction hosted by Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey.

EMT demo
EFSC's Public Safety Institute students demonstrated life-saving techniques that they learn as part of their training during tours of the new 66,500 square-foot facility

About 250 people attended the gathering at the college’s new Public Safety Institute on the Melbourne campus with many touring the state-of-the-art facility that opened in January.

“Tonight’s event was a major success thanks to the strong support from members of our community who know that financial aid is essential to helping students get the education they need,” said college President Dr. Jim Richey.

“Their generosity will make an important difference in the lives of our students and, with them, an important difference in the future of Brevard County. We’re very grateful for everything they have done.”

The college’s need to provide financial assistance is growing as it continues expanding educational opportunities with new Bachelor Degrees and Associate Degrees in such top job-producing fields as Business, Health Care and Computer Information Technology.

Public Safety Institute
The new Public Safety Institute was the perfect setting for outdoor food and drink tents and special tours inside.

Many students taking those and other courses are juggling work, families and school, making scholarships a critical component that puts them on the road to graduation.

Last year, about 425 students shared $800,000 in scholarships with the money often used for textbooks.

The Eastern Florida State College Foundation currently has a $20 million endowment, the largest in the college’s history.

The event’s main sponsors were the Glover-Charles Group, AJAX Building Corporation, Harris Corp. and Sunrise Bank. In all, 30 sponsors participated along with 13 local restaurants that provided food.

The Eastern Florida State College Foundation, Inc., is a Direct Support Organization of Eastern Florida State College and a 501(c) (3) Not-for-Profit Organization.

To make a scholarship donation, visit the Foundation’s website at easternflorida.edu/foundation or call 321-433-7055.