SFCC Foundation update: Winter 2020
Philanthropy in Action Scholarship Luncheon
Nearly 200 guests from the community joined with scholarship donors, SFCC Foundation and Governing Board members, faculty and staff to honor scholarship recipients and hear their stories. The event, called Philanthropy in Action, highlights the impact donors can have on students who must overcome financial and other challenges to pursue their education. Students described how the generosity of donors put them on the path to success at SFCC.
Ian Widrick Martinez
Ian Widrick Martinez graduated high school as a junior, having taken dual-credit courses, and is now studying Criminal Justice and Business Administration while also serving as president of the Student Government Association and working as a student employee in the SFCC Foundation office. “I am so grateful to have the opportunity to meet and thank the donors who have given me confidence and believed in my educational potential,” said Ian.
Manny Chavez
Santa Fe native Manny Chavez had a few stops and starts in his attempts to attend college. Then he met a deaf person and became fascinated with American Sign Language. He signed up for an ASL class at SFCC, and one thing led to another. Manny will graduate in the Spring with an associate degree in Criminal Justice. He credits his success to scholarship support and the Student Ambassadors program. “Scholarship support helped me discover what I was hungry for — I let people help me learn to be a student and a leader and make a difference,” said Manny.
Lillian Montoya receives SFCC Foundation Leadership Award
Also during the luncheon, SFCC Foundation Board President Carmen Gonzales, Ph.D., and Executive Director Deborah Boldt presented the SFCC Foundation Leadership Award to President and CEO of CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Hospital Lillian Montoya with the Leadership Award. She is the first female CEO since the Sisters of Charity opened the hospital in 1865. “Lillian is being recognized for being a culture shifter at CHRISTUS St. Vincent Regional Hospital,” said Boldt. “She has changed the culture of care by focusing on quality, experience, and workplace environment where people do their best work to take care of others better.”
SFCC Foundation honors Dr. Romero with inaugural
Order of the Steel Rose
SFCC Foundation Executive Director Deborah Boldt recently recognized Martha Romero, Ph.D., with the inaugural Order of the Steel Rose (think of the movie Steel Magnolias) as grateful appreciation for her dedicated service to the Foundation and the college. Dr. Romero served as the Governing Board representative to the Foundation board, where she championed the Foundation’s work to support students through scholarships and financial assistance. The Order of the Steel Rose was presented at the October SFCC Foundation board meeting. SFCC Welding Program student Hernan Gomez created the sculpture.
Stephen Gaber, Piñon Awards, 2019. Jane Phillips Photography
Stephen Gaber receives Piñon award
SFCC Foundation congratulates Stephen Gaber, treasurer and chair of the Foundation’s Finance Investment Committee, for receiving the 2019 Santa Fe Community Foundation Piñon Award for Philanthropic Leadership. The award recognizes leaders for their dedication to building healthy and vital communities. Since 1987, the Santa Fe Community Foundation has selected and awarded the Piñon Awards to nonprofits that have made extraordinary contributions to the community. In 2012, SFCF added the selection of a philanthropic leader – someone who has made deep and meaningful contributions to the community. The Foundation is pleased to acknowledge this important recognition of Steve’s contributions.
