PRESIDENT’S REPORT | September 2013
New format, focus highlight All College Day
SCC receives $15,000 grant from GM Foundation
President Ron Chesbrough (right) accepts a $15,000 check from Jim Riffel, GM Wentzville Plant controller, at a Sept. 4 event on campus.
Throughout the year many inspirational stories are told about SCC students’ hopes, dreams and perseverance. At the 2013 All College Day, SCC faculty and staff were given the opportunity to share their stories. “These stories were every bit as inspirational and enriching as those of our students,” said Kasey McKee, vice president for college advancement, who with Donna Davis, vice president for human resources, organized the event. The morning session featured a video of employees sharing their educational journeys. Faculty and staff at each table then engaged in a group activity to share their educational stories. College President Ron Chesbrough spoke to the importance of the college team’s purpose in the higher education continuum and reminded us about how we hold the power to unite or divide a team.
Breakout sessions included information on the state of the college, college planning, and campus buzzwords, as well as time to provide feedback through a biennial survey. The afternoon featured the annual financial outlook, and celebration and reflection. The remainder of the day included department meetings and the option to participate in the Before I Die project. The day wrapped up after-hours with the annual faculty-staff softball game. Despite strong at-bats, the staff defenses were just too strong and secured another victory, winning 8-1. “The day allowed us to reflect on the level of passion, professionalism, dedication, and sincerity exhibited across this campus each and every day so community members continue to have access to a high-quality college education. It is no wonder SCC is a great place to work,” McKee said.
Fall Semester Enrollment Update SCC enrollment for the Fall 2013 Semester outpaced budget predictions of -5 percent. As of Sept. 12, which is the college census date used for state reporting,
enrollment for the term stood at 7,477 headcount and 72,906 credit hours, a decrease of -3.2 and -4.3, respectively, compared to the Fall 2012 Semester.
The General Motors Foundation announced grants totaling $54,000 to five area organizations including SCC at an event on Sept. 4 hosted by GM’s Wentzville Assembly facility on campus. “This year, the GM Foundation will provide $1.6 million in funding to nearly 200 organizations in 45 plant cities where GM employees live and work,” said Vivian Pickard, president of the GM Foundation. “Wentzville is not only where our employees come to work each day, it is where our families, friends and neighbors live, and we are proud to be part of this community. Part of our commitment is to help support local agencies that do so much good work here,” GM Wentzville Plant Manager Nancy Laubenthal said. Laubenthal presented $54,000 in grants to representatives from United Way of Greater St. Louis ($19,000), SCC ($15,000), Make-A-Wish Missouri ($10,000), Greenway Network ($5,000) and Earth Force ($5,000) at an event during SCC’s annual Fall Fun Blitz. “We would like to thank the GM Foundation for this donation and the employees at GM Wentzville Assembly for their commitment to invest in our community,” said Ron Chesbrough, SCC president. “We’re proud of our educational and training partnership with GM Wentzville Assembly and are positive that the benefits that this donation will provide to the five community organizations represented here today will have a lasting impact.”