NMCC drive gets $25,000 boost

PRESQUE ISLE – Northern Maine Community College says it is making progress in its $2 million major-gifts campaign, including a recent $25,000 pledge from a banking company with nine branches in Aroostook County.

Jason Parent, NMCC’s director of development and college relations, said in a news release that the college is working jointly with the NMCC Foundation to conduct the campaign.

College officials announced news of the campaign in March, and before that, the college and the foundation board worked with community leaders throughout the County to organize the effort.

To date, nearly $200,000 has been secured for the campaign.

Officials hope to raise $2 million by next February to support student scholarships and instructional technology, and help NMCC respond to community needs.

KeyBank NA recently pledged $25,000 to NMCC’s Campaign for the County’s College drive.

The campaign will raise money for three funds:

. The Accessing Opportunity Fund is designed to allow NMCC Foundation to provide more money to students through endowed scholarships and awards.

. The Investing in Innovation Fund will ensure that the campus gets the latest equipment, computers and software it needs to provide quality instruction.

. The College and Community Advancement Fund will provide an immediate source of funding to respond to community needs.

Parent said the bequest from KeyBank will be spread evenly between the Investing in Innovation Fund and the College and Community Advancement Fund.

Steve Gagnon, senior vice president and business banking team leader for KeyBank, called NMCC “a valuable asset to the community” and said the institution was “proud” to be able to support the campaign.

“NMCC offers programs that support KeyBank’s efforts to promote financial literacy and KeyBank’s Back-to-Work Initiative,” he said in a written statement. “It is important for us to give back to the community in which we work. We hope that our investment will support NMCC and Aroostook County for some time to come.”

NMCC President Tim Crowley said the donation would “provide valuable assistance in our delivery of academic programs and ongoing efforts to meet the needs of expanding and new businesses in the County.”

“It will ensure that our students continue to train on and work with the technology that employers in our region expect and require, as well as assist with our efforts to support the region’s economic development,” he said.