At the sold-out Westchester Community College Foundation “Transforming Futures Together” gala on Nov. 8, 325 guests packed Tappan Hill in Tarrytown. More than $480,000 was raised to support student scholarships, emergency aid and other critical programs at SUNY Westchester Community College.
The event marked the start of the 10th anniversary year of Dr. Belinda S. Miles as president of the college.
Longtime Westchester Community College Champion Vanessa Williams emceed the event. She is one of the most respected and multifaceted performers in the entertainment industry today, selling millions of records worldwide. Her work in music, film, television and the Broadway stage has been recognized with 4 Emmy nominations, 11 Grammy nominations, a Tony nomination, 3 SAG award nominations and 7 NAACP Image Awards.
Five leaders in Westchester County who were honored include County Executive George Latimer who received the Public Service Award in recognition of his 36 years of service to the people of Westchester County and New York state. Latimer became the ninth Westchester County Executive in 2018, and was elected to a second term in 2021, never losing an election during his three decades in public office.
Dorry Swope received the Westchester Community College Foundation Philanthropy Award. Over the years, Swope and her family have made significant contributions to SUNY Westchester Community College as well as to conservation, arts and health care organizations.
Sinforosa “Rose” Tan and William H.P. Kaung received Westchester Community College Foundation’s Community Leadership Award. Rose and Bill are recognized for their decades of volunteer service to SUNY Westchester Community College and the community. Rose is professor emerita of mathematics at SUNY WCC.
David Berry, a SUNY Westchester Community College alum, received the Westchester Community College Foundation Viking Voyager Alumni Award. He is the founder of NomadCIO LLC, which provides interim chief information/technology officer and M&A leadership globally.
SUNY Westchester Community College provides more than 20,000 full-time and part-time students with an education taught by award-winning faculty at one of the lowest tuition rates in New York state. The college offers over 65 degree and certificate programs, including innovative programs in high-demand fields. The college reflects the rich diversity of its region and was the first SUNY campus to be designated a Hispanic Serving Institution.
Since its founding in 1969, Westchester Community College Foundation (a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization) has raised funds to meet college and student needs not covered by public funds, distributing nearly $3 million in scholarships and between $2 million and $3 million in program support annually. Recognizing that public education is a public responsibility, the Foundation enables the college to continue to offer access to quality education and the skills for success through its fundraising and programmatic activities.