SPRING 2008
Ads Spotlight Students’ Stories
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tudents who attend Pima Community College with scholarships from the Pima Community College Foundation are not just exemplary—they’re extraordinary.
In a new media campaign debuting in 2008, you’ll meet four remarkable people who are achieving their educational goals with help from Pima Community College Foundation scholarships. More than spokespeople, they are inspiring archetypes representing students on every PCC campus who have similar ambitions and achievements.
Wanda Gioe
impressive because he has a physical disability.
When Wanda Gioe graduates with an associate’s degree, she’ll be 70 years old.
After most workdays, he takes a special van to evening classes at Pima Community College.
Her PCC career began inauspiciously with one computer class and then another at the Northwest Campus. A four-year process for a twoyear degree might have been discouraging, not to mention the added stress from her husband’s sudden illness during the latter stages of her studies. But earning the Tucson Women’s Club Lela McKay scholarship “gave me the mental boost I needed. It made me feel important and special. I was flabbergasted that someone would have that kind of faith in me.” What would she say to an older person who is contemplating a similar college path? “Don’t let your age stop you. Just do it.”
Cameron Wright Cameron Wright works weekdays as a greeter at Jim Click Automotive, where diplomacy, courtesy and ability to multi-task are required. In Cameron’s case, his work ethic and demeanor are even more
She earned her GED and, with the help of scholarships from the PCC Foundation, finished her degree in two years. The scholarships motivated her to “get good grades, and, to hurry. I don’t know what I would have done without that support. It changed my life.”
Receiving the Betty Parkman scholarship from the PCC Foundation has helped him tremendously. “I don’t think there would be another way for me to get my degree, to live on my own, pay bills and then pay for my education.”
Today, Rabago works with the Tucson YWCA and gives Spanish-language workshops on women and money management.
Liz Rabago
Luis Murillo
Liz Rabago left school after the 8th grade and didn’t speak English. But she didn’t let that stop her from getting an education—and building a career.
Luis Murillo is the first in his family to attend college. “My parents are proud and happy and worked hard for me to achieve my career goal.”
“College was not a word that was spoken at home; it was not even possible,” growing up in a family of 12 in Hermosillo, she said.
He has had a “passion for science” since he was a youngster and now is completing his associate’s degree in pharmacy technology. He hopes to continue his studies in pharmacy at the University of Arizona.
But after raising two children and relocating to Tucson, she enrolled in the PROGRESS program for women who wish to continue their education. Initially, other family members opposed the idea. “They said, ‘You’re crazy at this age to go back to school.’” She responded, “If I don’t, I’m not going to be myself.”
“I never had the opportunity to go to college. I decided I wanted to go and get a degree. My husband thinks I’m nuts. But he says, ‘Keep going.’” Wanda Gioe
Luis is the first in another category also. He received PCC Foundation’s first Sandweiss Family scholarship in 2006. Impressed by his earnest dedication to his studies, the Sandweiss Family also gave Luis a laptop so he could do class work.
“Going to college has always been a goal of mine. I love to challenge myself.” Cameron Wright
“If you really want to do something, there are no barriers.” Liz Rabago
“I’m very grateful to the donors and to the PCC Foundation for being part of my success.” Luis Murillo
Board of Directors
Imagine the Possibilities!
Mark Ziska, Chair Mary Rowley, Chair-Elect Robert Ramirez, Vice-
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Chair/Treasurer
Jim Stith, Secretary Marc Fleischman, Immediate Past Chair
Cheryl House, CFRE, Executive Director
Gloria Alvillar Raymond Baer Gloria Bloomer Dan Chambers Jim Davenport Blake Down Roy Flores, Ph.D. Linda Filep Ed Foster Greg Good Sherry Hall Howard Harpst Duane Hawkins Dennis Holden Mark Irvin Paul Lindsey Staci Lopez Elizabeth Maish Susan Mannion Edmund Marquez Rich Moret Betty Niles Francisco Padilla Bernie Ray Chris Reaney Norm Rebenstorf Leo Roop Robert Shelton Phil Skillings Tobin Voge Debbie Wagner
early every day, the Board and Staff of the Pima Community College Foundation hear from current or former students about how Pima Community College has transformed their lives. We read it in the thank you letters that scholarship recipients write to their donors. We hear it from parents whose children struggled at larger institutions, but found their way in the smaller, more personal classes at Pima. And we see it in the successes of Pima alumni like Edmund Marquez, a young, thriving Tucson business leader who is featured in this issue. The vision of the PCC Foundation’s Board of Directors is to ensure that learning is affordable and accessible to all. As Chair of the Foundation Board of Directors, I am privileged to work with a skilled and enthusiastic executive committee of community leaders, including Chair-Elect Mary Rowley, President of StrongPoint Public Relations; Vice Chair and Treasurer Bob Ramirez, President & CEO of Vantage West Federal Credit Union; Secretary Jim Stith, Owner of Sav-On Flowers; and Immediate Past Chair Marc Fleischman, Founder and Partner with Beach Fleischman & Co. The Fall 2009 semester marks the 40th anniversary of Pima’s transformative impact on our community, and plans are underway to celebrate this milestone and prepare for the next 40 years. If you have a story about how Pima transformed your life, please email
[email protected]. We’ll share these stories throughout our anniversary year, encouraging others to take that first step by enrolling in a class or help someone else achieve a lifelong dream by funding a scholarship. The PCC Foundation is committed to helping the College strengthen community partnerships and raise funds to help Pima students achieve the best education possible. With your continued support, our vision for the future and the possibilities that students dream will become realities.
Mark D. Ziska Chair, PCCF Board of Directors
James W. Cocke Emeritus Member
An Alumnus Bred for Business Credits The Pima Community College Foundation was incorporated in 1977 to generate and manage philanthropic financial support for the benefit of Pima Community College. possibilities is published two times per year by the Pima Community College Foundation’s Board of Directors to recognize the positive impact of private giving on education in our community. Editor - Cheryl House Writer – Jodi Goalstone Graphic Design – Bryce Morthland Photography – David Tang Pima Community College Foundation 4905C E. Broadway Blvd. Tucson AZ 85709-1320 (520) 206-4646 Phone (520) 206-4648 Fax
[email protected] www.pima.edu/foundation
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Before he could complete his degree, Allstate offered him an opportunity to open a new office in Tucson. His clientele: Tucson car dealerships, many of whose customers needed car insurance. In three years, he had 3,000 customers. It had taken his father 30 years to achieve the same milestone, Marquez said. One of his contacts mentioned an opportunity to buy All Star Auto Exchange on Tucson’s south side. Marquez supplied the funding. Later, he took over managing the business as well. In late 2006, Marquez decided to buy his own new car franchise. That doesn’t happen overnight. In March 2007, he opened Edmund Marquez Suzuki on West Irvington (the former site of All Star Auto Exchange). This year, he is adding another 3,200 sq. ft. to the showroom. He also put his father on the payroll as Inventory Manager. Marquez is quick to credit Pima Community College with his success. “You have to be well rounded enough to take on the business community. Pima gave me that opportunity.” For more information about the Pima Community College Alumni Association and to register for free membership, visit www.pima.edu/alumni.
Scholarships Add To Community Imprint
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he charitable foundation of a Tucson couple renowned for helping to create the city’s distinct architectural appeal (see below) is augmenting its imprint by supporting another key community asset—higher education.
The John and Helen Murphey Foundation has established scholarships through the Pima Community College Foundation to support students who study at Pima Community College, then complete a baccalaureate degree at the University of Arizona. Students who are enrolled full-time and maintain a 2.5 GPA are eligible to receive $2,000 per year to cover tuition and related expenses for their first two years at Pima Community College, and $4,000 per year for their third and fourth years at the University of Arizona. By 2010-2011, this endeavor will support eight students at Pima Community We hope that this College and eight at the University of Arizona, with a kind of assistance constantly replenished pipeline of students.
makes it more feasible for students to make longer-range plans for their college studies and careers.
“We felt it was appropriate to give encouragement to young people whose parents did not have the opportunity to attend college and may need financial aid in order to attend college,” said Jay Kittle, Chairman of the John and Helen Murphey Foundation.
“Additionally, we hope that this kind of assistance makes it more feasible for students to make longer-range plans for their college studies and careers,” Kittle said. That’s certainly the case for PCC freshman Bryan Lewis. “Without this help there would be no way for me to accomplish my academic goals,” he remarked. “I plan on going straight to the University of Arizona after I am finished at Pima. My career plans are to major in journalism and become a sportswriter for a newspaper or a magazine—even an online sports columnist.”
John and Helen Murphey Foundation Scholars at PCC enjoyed their opportunity to meet the Foundation’s trustees and learn more about their benefactors. From left, Bryan Lewis (Journalism), Gordon Waterfall, Joey Tanner Barbee, Chelsea Albrecht (Speech Communications), Stephanie Moreno (Dental Hygiene), Floyd Sedlmayer, Elda Hernandez (Nursing), Jay Kittle and John Payson.
And in response to the critical shortage of healthcare professionals, the John and Helen Murphey Foundation is providing scholarships to four students in the healthrelated professions at PCC for the next three years. The John and Helen Murphey Foundation reflects the philanthropic efforts of its founders in making charitable contributions addressing community needs in Tucson and in Pima County, with a particular emphasis on higher education. The Murpheys, individually and through their foundation, have contributed over $5 million to various cultural, environmental and family oriented Tucson charities. Over the last decade, the John and Helen Murphey Foundation has contributed nearly $150,000 to Pima Community College in the form of scholarships and program support. Students who receive the John and Helen Murphey Foundation scholarships also get a lesson in the importance of community philanthropy, according to Kittle. “We like to remind scholarship recipients that they are the beneficiaries of our nation’s philanthropic ethic. In our case, the philanthropy comes from the industry and inspiration of two people who worked a lifetime to build up a substantial estate and decided to set some of it aside for others.” Pima Community College students may apply for over 50 scholarships for the 2008-09 academic year by completing the Pima Community College foundation’s online application, www.pima.edu/foundation.
Shaping A Community When describing John and Helen Murphey’s impact on Tucson, the word “transformational” comes to mind. Here is a bit of their remarkable history, courtesy of the John and Helen Murphey Foundation. The couple met as students at the University of Arizona and married in 1920. A decade later, they had amassed 8,000 acres stretching north from River Road and from Oracle Road to Sabino Canyon Road.
They began development of the Catalina Foothills property in June 1930 by filing a subdivision plat. To promote the subdivision, the Murpheys spearheaded the creation of Catalina Foothills School District No. 16, donated the land for and built St. Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church, and constructed what would eventually become Hacienda del Sol. From there, John Murphey and his archi-
tect associate Josias T. Joesler built the first of 10 Catalina Foothills Estates subdivisions. In doing so, they created the distinct Joesler architectural style that is synonymous with the Catalina Foothills and is indigenous to Tucson. “If you think of Tucson without all that, it would just be another town,” said Joey Tanner Barbee, Executive Director of the John and Helen Murphey Foundation.
Pima Plans for Its 40th Anniversary
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n 1960 the Arizona Legislature passed laws establishing county-based junior college districts. But voters in each county had to approve a district, and then vote to fund it. By 1966, the year Pima County’s citizens approved their two-year college, seven junior colleges in five of Arizona’s 15 counties were already operating.
Early records indicate both a groundswell of support for a junior college and a great deal of citizen research and input. In 1965, businessman Jacob C. Fruchthendler marshaled the forces of the community, organizing the Tucson Youth Board, the Tucson Chamber of Commerce and the Tucson Community Council to enlist leaders in the formation of a group to study and plan for the formation of a junior college district. By the 1966 elections, only one of the 142 precincts voted against forming a junior college district. The $11 million campus was built on 272 acres of Federal land (in use as a firing range) that cost taxpayers $684.85, or $2.50 an acre. From the beginning, Pima College was eagerly anticipated by the community. News clippings of early interviews with students anxious for the new College to open show the scope and intensity of their hopes and expectations. They spoke of having had little access to affordable higher education, of needing a practical education, and of desiring advancement in careers stuck on the lower rungs. In September 1969, PCC’s first classes, in respiratory therapy, began at Tucson Medical Center with 43 students. By Fall 1970, additional classes were being held in a Tucson International Airport hangar. Original estimates of enrollment projected 3,500 students when the first campus, now known as the West Campus, opened in January 1971. By Fall of 1975, Pima Community College was serving more than 18,000 students. During its second year of operation, the College enlarged the original 11-building complex and by 1974 opened the Downtown Campus, which immediately filled to capacity. During the next four decades, the community grew and demand for community college resources exploded. The College added five more campuses and increased service to the community through four learning centers, four adult basic education centers, vast distance learning offerings, workforce development programs, and hundreds of additional locations serving the need for non-credit courses. Today, Pima enrolls over 75,000 students a year. More than 800,000 Tucson residents have taken at least one class at Pima Community College since its inception and all are considered PCC alumni! As Pima Community College prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2009, we welcome your stories of how Pima impacted your life. Please share your stories by writing to
[email protected], and watch our web site, www.pima.edu, for news of upcoming events.
Family Dedicated to Purpose Driven Giving Growth in demand also will result from the expanding role of respiratory therapists in case management, disease prevention, emergency care and the early detection of pulmonary disorders.” Over the next 30 years, the endowment should help to educate about 150 students, Howard estimated. “When we’re no longer here to write the checks, the endowment will keep going.”
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tudents in Pima Community College’s respiratory therapy program are breathing easy, thanks to a scholarship endowment established by Howard and Patty Harpst.
The couple made a gift of appreciated stock in 2006 to permanently endow the Brian Harpst Memorial Scholarship. It is named for their late son, who had asthma. Charitable giving isn’t new to the Harpsts, who have lived in Tucson since 1969. “We gave to other local charities, but we didn’t always know how the money was spent,” said Howard Harpst, a member of the PCC Foundation Board of Directors. “This is our most satisfying gift. We’re giving people a start in life that they weren’t going to get.” Respiratory therapy is a “growth industry,” explained Jody Kosanke, Program Director for PCC’s Respiratory Therapy Program. “There is a great demand for respiratory therapists across the country. The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook states that the number of respiratory therapists is expected to grow 19 percent from 2006 to 2016, faster than the average for all occupations. “The increasing demand will come from substantial growth in the middle-age and elderly populations— a development that will heighten the incidence of cardiopulmonary disease.
The Harpsts are impressed by the hands-on education and training the respiratory therapy program offers and by the opportunity Pima presents. “We’re happy to be able to give students the chance to better themselves and then help others. That’s why this is such a win-win,” Howard said. That certainly has been the case for Michael Thomas, who embarked on a new career as a respiratory therapist with the help of a Harpst scholarship. He now works as a respiratory therapist at Northwest Medical Center. “I obtained an M.A. in history from Cal State Fullerton in 1996 with an eye to working for the Federal government.” He moved to Tucson and accepted a job in Bookman’s corporate office. Unfortunately, the job was eliminated in a downsizing. “After searching for work I started thinking about a new career. I had heard of respiratory therapy, but knew little about it. My then future brother-in law gave me information about Pima’s program. I met Jody and shadowed at St. Mary’s Hospital. She called just a couple weeks before classes started and wanted to know why I wasn’t on her list. She kept me on the phone and changed my mind. It was a life-changing phone call.” “The Harpst family’s generosity has helped students achieve their goals, which has increased their self-esteem, and created a positive change in their lives. I am very thankful for all they have done for our students,” Kosanke said.
The Harpst family’s generosity has helped students achieve their goals, which has increased their self-esteem, and created a positive change in their lives.
PCC News Pima Community College and Northern Arizona University have announced a new 90/30 bachelor degree program that will allow community college students to transfer up to 90 college credits to NAU towards four bachelor’s degree programs: a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on Public Management; and a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis on Humanities. The NAU program is Arizona’s first in-state 90/30 program leading to a baccalaureate degree. The PCC Alumni Association elected its 2008-2009 officers of the Board of Directors at its annual meeting on April 1. Officers are Chair, Jaimie Leopold, Leopold Consulting; Vice Chair, Diana Jeffrey, Organizational Consultant; Immediate Past Chair, Sarah Evans, University of Arizona Office of Community Relations; Treasurer, Terrell Bivins, Pima Community College; Secretary, Valerie Vidal, Pima Community College; and Member at Large, Francisco Padilla, Pima County Attorney’s Office. The executive director of the PCC Alumni Association is Toppy Burke. Degrees and certificates were conferred on nearly 3000 Pima students at PCC’s Graduation on May 20. The youngest graduate was 17, and the oldest was 79.
4905C E. Broadway Blvd., #252 Tucson, AZ 85709-1320
An Alumnus Bred for Business Edmund Marquez is on the go…go…go. This Pima Community College alumnus—and new PCC Foundation board member—is the first Mexican-American to own a Tucson new car dealership. But his business career blossomed while he was a student at PCC’s Downtown Campus. Marquez graduated from Sabino High School in 1991, where he “majored” in sports and student activities, not academics, by his own admission. “I had a 2.3 GPA and my guidance counselor said to my parents, ‘What’s he going to do?’ “My parents just laughed and said, ‘This boy is going to college. That’s what we do in our family.’”
Pima helped me get my feet under me. It gave me the right foundation. You have to be well rounded enough to take on the business community. Pima gave me that opportunity.
When he began at PCC, Marquez’s father gave him a letter, which he has preserved. “It was about life—about stepping up, being a man and getting an education.” That letter spurred Marquez to settle down and get good grades— good enough to transfer to the University of Arizona. “Without Pima, I couldn’t have gone straight to the UA. PCC helped me get my feet under me so I could go on to the UA. It gave me the right foundation.” From community college to university, one thing was constant in Marquez’s life— a passion for business. Initially, he worked in his father’s Allstate Insurance office. In 1995 (his senior year at the UA), he led the Cedric Dempsey Cancer Center Run, setting a new fund raising record, $500,000. Eegee’s took notice and offered him a job as Director of Promotions—a full-time position—while he continued his studies at the UA. (Continued on page 2)
