Paul D. Camp Comm-unity College is moving into the final phase of its first Major Gifts Campaign.

With a goal of raising $3 million, the campaign has been designed to address the region’s need for a skilled and educated workforce.

“We are very excited about the response and generosity we have experienced so far, and already we see the great success and difference our major gifts campaign is making,” said college President Paul Conco. “This effort is intended to help the college and community on many levels. We will be able to better prepare our citizens for the careers of tomorrow. Together we can build a community ready to support the economic growth of our region.”

The campaign began several years ago and has the long-term support of the boards of the college and the community. Despite the many challenges that have occurred during the course of the campaign, college leadership, the local college board and the Foundation Board have been working diligently to bring the college’s first Major Gifts Campaign to its final stage.

“In today’s global economy, education and training are essential to successfully navigate the changes impacting our workforce and quality of life,” said Larry Pope, Smithfield Foods president and chief executive officer who is chair of the campaign. “Now, more than ever, we need to ensure that Paul D. Camp Community College can provide affordable education and fill our workforce with competitive employees.”

The pillars of the campaign are:

 

High-Need Academic and Workforce Program Funding

The college is committed to providing relevant programs for regional education and training. With the help of community partners, the college has and will continue to identify areas of growth and change and create programs of study to match the opportunities.

 

Student Access and Excellence Funding

The annual tuition at Paul D. Camp Community College is less than half that at a public four-year institution. Even still, college education remains out of reach for many in our communities. The majority of PDC students receive some form of financial aid, and it is still not enough.

 

Instructional Technology Enhancement Funding

Being technologically ready is increasingly important as the college focuses its education and workforce development on science, technology, engineering, math and health care. One solution is to ensure that classrooms, labs and libraries at all college locations are fully equipped with current technology. The college also must provide professional development activities and experiences for our faculty and staff so that they remain on the cutting edge of these new technologies.

The campaign will conclude in the summer of 2013. For more information about the campaign or information on ways to give, contact Felicia Blow, executive director of the Paul D. Camp Community College Foundation, at 569-6791 or fblow@pdc.edu.