The Rowan College at Burlington County Foundation held its most successful fundraiser to date last month.
Officials with Rowan College at Burlington County say the Rowan College at Burlington County Foundation held its most successful fundraiser to date last month, raising about $250,000 for student scholarships, as the college continues to try and make higher education more affordable and accessible in Burlington County.
“As a former RCBC trustee and now freeholder director, I am really proud to see how this school has grown into one of the leading community colleges in the state,” Burlington County Freeholder Director Kate Gibbs said. “I know the Freeholder Board and RCBC will continue our work to keep college affordable; however, there will always be students who need extra assistance and we are so grateful for all the generous sponsors and donors who support them.”
Officials say a crowd of more than 300 people attended the college foundation’s ninth annual Celebration of Philanthropy event at the newly opened Student Success Center on the college’s Mt. Laurel Campus.
The event featured remarks from Gibbs, Emmy-award winning Fox 29 reporter Bob Kelly, successful entrepreneur Bobby Chez, U.S. Congressman Tom MacArthur and past scholarship recipients.
“Thanks to the extremely generous support of so many people, in particular our lead sponsor Republic Bank, the RCBC Foundation will now be able to help so many more students with scholarships,” RCBC Foundation Chair Tony Mahon said. “There is no better feeling than to know you have helped a student create a better future because they were able to afford a college degree.”
The record-breaking foundation event follows the college’s recently announced 3 percent enrollment increase this spring, marking the third consecutive semester of growth. Officials say RCBC’s enrollment increase is particularly telling of the effect the college’s 3+1 program is having in Burlington County, in which students can earn a four-year degree for less than $30,000 — which officials say is far less than what most colleges charge for a single year.
“I believe our 3+1 program means more to the Burlington County community than just an affordable degree, it is an opportunity for a student to earn a brighter future,” RCBC Acting President Michael Cioce said. “With this added support from the RCBC Foundation, together, we will allow even more students to access higher education.”
For more information on RCBC Foundation Scholarships or how to donate, please visit rcbc.edu/foundation.
