Nov. 18, 2021 (Middletown, Conn.) — The Middlesex Community College Foundation board of directors is pleased to announce the recipients of their donor recognition awards, presented during a virtual annual meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. In addition to the awards presentation, the MxCC Foundation elected new members of the board of directors as well as a new chair.
Faith Jackson, the director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management for the city of Middletown, received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Jackson, who earned an associate degree from Middlesex Community College in 1999, has represented the MxCC Foundation on the state’s Board of Regents search committees and is still active with the scholarship committee.
“Faith received her degree in business administration. However, if you know Faith, you know that her true passion is to help people,” said MxCC Dean of Administration Kimberly Hogan.
Richard Eriksen and his wife, Jane, were presented with the Donor Recognition Award for their decade-long support of the MxCC Foundation’s mission. This past year, they established the Eriksen Family Scholarship, which allows eligible students to continue studying at MxCC before transferring to a four-year institution.
“There’s nothing more important than children getting an education. They are the future of the country,” said Jane Eriksen.
Frank Stellabotte, MxCC biology program director, received the Corporator Award. This award acknowledges his multiple contributions to the MxCC Foundation during the past several years. Specifically, he encouraged the scholarship committee to develop a new streamlined application process, making the selection procedure a much easier task.
The MxCC Foundation presented Anna Wasescha, president of Middlesex Community College from 2011 to 2017, with the Legacy Award. In addition to her sustainable initiatives as president, Wasescha established the annual Red Moon fundraising event and later created the Anna Wasescha Honors Fund. Last year, the fund received significant donations to honor her milestone birthday.
“Middlesex is a very special place. It has the inner strength and resources to be the college of the community and the region,” said Wasescha after receiving the award. “Middlesex is a unique place in the best sense of the word.”
MxCC Foundation outgoing board chair Laura Krueger presided over the meeting, and foundation treasurer Rick Morin gave the financial report (as published in the 2020–2021 annual report). MxCC CEO Steven Minkler and Dean Hogan presented details about the state of the college and activities of the past year.
Chris Dibble, elected to the board last year, will serve as the board’s new chair. He listed the foundation’s goals for the coming year as recruiting and engaging new board members, improving the standard of care and relationships with donors, and increasing donations overall through corporate giving as well as providing employment opportunities for graduates.
Deanne Debrady, a social worker with the Department of Children and Families in the New Haven region, was elected as a new board member. She earned a master’s in counseling from Central Connecticut State University and has worked with children, adolescents and families for more than 20 years.
Julia Noriega, a liberal arts and sciences student from Middletown, also begins a new term as the student representative on the foundation board. She is president of the MxCC Student Senate. After graduation, she hopes to transfer to the anthropology program at Wesleyan University.
To continue the giving spirit of the Red Moon Fest that took place in October, the MxCC Foundation is selling raffle tickets to help fund scholarships and more for students. Each $50 ticket is a chance to win $5,000 in cash, a 43″ Vizio Smart TV with Samsung sound bar, or a Solo Stove Bonfire portable smokeless fire pit. Winners will be drawn via MxCC’s Facebook Live at noon on December 16. Click here to purchase raffle tickets.
Created as a separate 501(c)(3) organization in 1979, the Middlesex Community College Foundation supports the college by encouraging and managing charitable contributions; directing funds for scholarships and academic development; and creating collaborations and partnerships with area business, civic, educational and professional leaders.
Since 1966, Middlesex Community College has provided high-quality, affordable and accessible education to a diverse population, enhancing the strengths of individuals through degree, certificate and lifelong learning programs that lead to university transfer, employment, and an enriched awareness of our shared responsibilities as global citizens. A part of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities system, MxCC offers more than 70 degree or certificate programs at the main 35-acre campus in Middletown, MxCC@Platt in Meriden and online.
