N E WS L E T T E R
News from the Mt. Hood Community College Foundation • Winter 2011
miller foundation sparks new careers
L
ife just seems to give Anthony Cartisser one belly-wrenching kick after another. But, like a champion, every time he gets knocked down, he picks himself up and gets back in the game. An electrician for 30 years, the Gresham resident got laid off from a number of seemingly stable jobs when the economy turned south. “I worked steadily until the recession hit. It’s devastating to get laid off, especially when you know you’ve tried your best to do a good job and to contribute to the company’s success.”
has a positive impact on the environment,” says Anthony. Gidget’s aspirations are no less noble: She’s committed to conserving the planet’s resources. Their first step toward earning university degrees and entering a specialized workforce is Mt. Hood Community College (MHCC), where they are second-year students. Each is working toward a degree in Natural Resources: He – to the woods for a career in forestry management or wildlife management; she – to a field involving alternative energy.
This time, when handed yet another pink slip, Anthony had an epiphany: He decided it was time to go back to college, earn a degree and enter a new profession. Concurrently, his wife, Gidget, also an electrician who had been on medical disability due to an on-the-job injury, decided it was time to turn over the proverbial leaf and look for new career opportunities.
Neither are strangers to higher education, as they have attended college classes previously, completed electrical apprenticeships and earned various certifications.
“I want to combine my lifelong hobby of stomping around in the forest with a career I enjoy, and do something that
Anthony was recently accepted into Rho Theta, the national honor society that recognizes academic achievement.
“Returning to college after a number of years is really challenging,” notes Anthony, “especially when Gidget and I still have kids living at home and the usual responsibilities.”
Gidget’s grade point average is a skosh lower than Anthony’s. Like a fierce competitor, however, she’s working doubly hard to catch up, and pass, her husband. Both applied for Miller Scholarships and were “really appreciative” when they won. “The scholarship means a great deal to us,” says Anthony. “I can’t put into words how grateful I am to everyone who donated to the Miller Challenge. Students such as Gidget and I can have a chance at achieving meaningful careers. We’re working really hard – we don’t want to let anyone down.”
miller scholars’ words of appreciation “I am enrolled in the Ford Asset automotive program. It’s a relief I didn’t have to take out more student loans. Thanks to MHCC and the Miller Foundation,
— Colton Bradfield, Class of 2012
my future looks encouraging.”
“I came to MHCC after having been unemployed for over a year. The Miller Scholarship
inspires me each day to
work hard and do my best as I pursue my dream of earning a bachelor’s degree in engineering.”
— Rosalba Brambila, Class of 2012
local event celebrates community
T
he Gresham Art Walk, started 10 years ago by downtown business owner Judy Han and a few art-loving friends, is a celebration of art, history and community that attracts 12,000 visitors to Historic Downtown Gresham the third Saturday in July. The event has grown from a handful of artists the first year to more than 120 in 2010, and even more will exhibit their works this year. Naturally, it takes a lot of hard work to pull off a successful event such as this, not to mention a particularly strong commitment to the community. So, it’s no surprise that Judy, Cherise Miller, Leslie Radke and the rest of the Board of Directors for the Gresham Art Walk, decided to extend their community spirit to Mt. Hood Community College. Using income from a massive art rummage sale held in downtown Gresham, the Art Walk donated $1,000 to the MHCC Foundation for a scholarship that will become available spring term 2011 for visual arts students. The “Donna Hand Memorial Scholarship” is named to honor an original founder and Board member of the Art Walk who passed away.
“The sch is a w celebr
worl opportu
made po MHC
“While the Gresham Art Walk is an event that uses art to celebrate our special community, the scholarship is a way to celebrate a world of opportunities made possible at MHCC,” says Judy.
Photo: MHCC President John. J. “Ski” Sygielski, Cherise Miller, Judy Han and MHCC Foundation Board member Leslie Radke
new opportunities for taxpayers Navigating through the labyrinth of tax laws can be daunting. However, a brief overview of the opportunities that lie hidden can be rewarding. Here, Sharon Heth, vice president of charitable services with Allen Capital Management (one of the MHCC Foundation’s investment firms), unearths some gems that you may not already know.
holarship O way to rate a
ld of unities
ossible at CC.”
n December 17, 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law The Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization and Job Creation Act of 2010. This multi-syllabic mouthful is also known as the 2010 Tax Relief Act. Here is a brief summary of what these changes mean for taxpayers. Income Taxes The 2010 Tax Relief Act extends many of the Bush-era tax cuts. This means the current six income tax rates starting at 10 percent and topping out at 35 percent will stay in place for two more years. Estate Taxes
The law also brings back the estate tax, which was temporarily phased out in 2010. Under the new law, there is a significantly higher applicable exclusion amount ($5 million) and a lower tax rate (maximum 35 percent) than had been contemplated. However, the estate tax provisions are temporary and scheduled to sunset on Dec.
— Judy Han
31, 2012. Estates may also take advantage of stepped up basis for appreciated property. What do I mean by stepped-up? For example, a decedent dies leaving land worth $100,000. If the land was originally purchased for $20,000, the heirs will receive a steppedup basis in the land to the fair market value at death ($100,000). The $80,000 unrealized gain to the estate escapes capital gains tax. Charitable Giving and IRA Rollovers The 2010 Tax Relief Act also extends for 2010 and 2011 the law permitting persons over age 70 ½ to make gifts directly from their IRAs to qualified charitable organizations in order to satisfy their required minimum distribution. The maximum qualifying gift amount is $100,000 per year. For additional information on any of these new provisions, please consult your tax adviser or the Mt. Hood Community College Foundation, 503-491-7206 or mhcc.edu/foundation.
experience paris and support mhcc students
H
ow can you travel to Paris without stepping foot outside of Oregon? It’s simple — all you have to do is make your reservation or sponsor this year’s dinner and auction. With a little bit of imagination, you’ll swear you were strolling along the Seine River while shopping for unique trips, art, gift packages, wine and one of a kind experiences – all in the name of student scholarship support at MHCC.
Join us for Springtime in Paris, the theme for this year’s event, May 7, at the Portland Waterfront Marriott. We have a – shall we say magnifique – Parisienne evening planned with great food, amazing auction items and the piece de resistance: We are pleased to announce that Julianne R. Johnson, acclaimed recording artist, will perform. This is an evening you won’t want to miss! To make your reservation, or for more information, please call 503-491-7206 or visit us online at mhcc.edu/ foundation. Follow us on Facebook for auction updates! See you in Paris!
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PA I D BELLINGHAM, WA PERMIT NO. 114
A D D R E S S S E RV I C E R E Q U E S T E D
Mt. Hood Community College Foundation Board of Directors
Auction & Dinner 5 p.m. Portland Waterfront Marriott For more information or to make your reservation, call 503-491-7206. Visit us online at mhcc.edu/ foundation or e-mail at give@mhcc.edu
Paul Capell Kathy Clevenger Donald E. DeVore Rich Egner, Jr. Pat Fiedler Mark Garber Ron Gullberg Martin Hertrich Stan Hymel
Nancy Jaksich Peggy Johansen Robin McGregor Greg Mettler Marv Ogle Jane Patterson Tom Perrick Mary Zoe Petersen Leslie Radke
Theresa Rockove Robert Rockwell Beverly Russell John J. “Ski” Sygielski Kathy Toynbee Wendy Vondrak Marvin Woidyla Marilyn Zook
Newsletter Contributors
Foundation Staff
Spring Bastow Sharon Heth Barbara Howell Maggie Huffman Glenn Wright
Elizabeth Gomez Sunny Klever Cassie McVeety Wendy Patton
HELP US GO GREEN
JOIN OUR E-MAIL LIST
Saturday, May 7, 2011 M t. H ood C ommunit y C ollege F oundation
If you would like to receive this newsletter and other information electronically, reply to give@mhcc.edu.