WCC Foundation
The WCC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which exists solely to support and advance the objectives of Wilkes Community College by raising funds. The WCC Foundation consists of 23 volunteer board of directors.
The foundation’s purpose is to provide funds for scholarships, capital projects, staff and faculty development, and the beautification of Wilkes Community College.
Giving to the WCC Foundation is an investment in our students, faculty, staff, and community.
Wilkes Community College Foundation
PO Box 120
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Tax ID # 23-7338790
Current Donations to Annual Fund Drive
Current Donations to Keys to Success Campaign
Annual Fund Drive
Giving to the annual fund is an easy and convenient way to show your support for the students, faculty, and staff.
The annual fund drive supports the Doc Watson Student Emergency Fund, GED & HiSet Scholarship, WCC Food Pantry, WCC SkillsUSA, WCC Study Abroad, and donations for unrestricted dollars are always welcome.
Donations are crucial to the success of the Annual Fund Drive. Every Gift Counts! Please consider making a gift that has meaning to you!
Thank you to our 2019-2020 Friends of Wilkes Community College!Keys to Success Campaign
The Keys to Success Campaign raises funds annually for two new scholarship opportunities that support the college-wide strategic plan which includes scholarships, completion, and equity.
The WCC Foundation is excited and proud to showcase the Presidential Scholarship and the WCC SAGE Fellows program for students enrolled full-time at Wilkes Community College.
Our annual goal is to raise $161,500 to support these programs. When you make your gift, please remember that your generosity will have a lasting impact on students, families, and our community!
Keys to Success Giving Levels
- Chairman: $25,000+
- Investor: $10,000 – $24,999
- Founder: $5,000 – $9,999
- Steward: $2,500 – $4,999
- Leader: $1,000 – $2,499
- Ambassador: $100 – $999
- Friends of the Foundation: $25 – $99
WCC Foundation Scholarships
Each year Wilkes Community College Foundation awards scholarships to help students begin or continue their education and to recognize outstanding academic accomplishments. Funding for these scholarships are raised by the Wilkes Community College Foundation annually.
The WCC Foundation’s priority project is the Keys to Success Campaign, which raises funds annually to support the Presidential Scholarship and the WCC SAGE Fellows program.
The WCC Foundation is proud to introduce the establishment of the Presidential Scholarship. This prestigious scholarship supports high-achieving students who demonstrate financial need and are committed to earning a Wilkes Community College degree. Students who are selected will receive a $2,000 scholarship per academic year.
This scholarship was created in support of the college-wide strategic plan which includes scholarships, completion, and equity and is part of the Keys to Success Campaign. Funding for the scholarship is raised by the Wilkes Community College Foundation annually.
Who is Eligible?
- Students enrolled full-time (12 hours minimum)
- Students having an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Students who demonstrate financial need and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Students who are committed to completing a WCC degree
How to Apply
The Presidential Scholarship is a renewable scholarship. Applications are selected each year and the deadline is July 1. To apply:
- Go to https://wilkescc.academicworks.com/.
- Sign in using your Wilkes Community College student credentials and complete the General Application.
- Click on the opportunities tab, then click on the blue ‘Apply’ button next to the WCC Presidential Scholarship.
(Note: The apply button will only appear if you meet the minimum criteria of 12+ hours and an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher.) - Complete the supplemental essay questions by the July 1 deadline.
For questions, please contact:
Development & Community Resources Specialist
Phone: 336-838-6158
shwhitley877@wilkescc.edu
The WCC SAGE Fellows is a scholarship program that provides students with academic and financial support. It was established to remove barriers and guide students on a successful path toward graduation and career opportunities. Application deadline is March of each year. Interviews will be conducted in April of each year.
This scholarship was created in support of the college-wide strategic plan which includes scholarships, completion, and equity and is part of the Keys to Success Comprehensive Campaign. Funding for the scholarship is raised by the Wilkes Community College Foundation annually.
Benefits
- $4,000 scholarship over two years
- Laptop
- Dedicated advisor and peer mentor
- Success and Study Skills
- Class with your SAGE Fellows community
- Access to all SAGE services
- Exciting leadership development activities and opportunities
Who is Eligible?
Sage Fellows must meet the following requirements:
- Enroll full-time at WCC (12 hours minimum)
- Participate in program requirements
- Attend the Summer Welcome Event in August
- Live in Wilkes, Ashe, or Alleghany counties
- Complete English and Math for first year
- Meet regularly with advisor and peer mentor
- Maintain good academic standing
Preference will be given to applicants who are first in their family to go to college or who experience financial barriers to college enrollment.
For questions concerning the program, please contact:
The Step Up Leadership Scholarship is a scholarship program designed to assist students enrolled full time at Wilkes Community College who demonstrate financial need with an opportunity to develop social and leadership skills through lunch and learn sessions, mentorships, and career preparation.
The scholarship is funded by the WCC Foundation Henry Moore Scholarship Golf Classic held each October.
Benefits
- $1,000 per year scholarship
- Leadership activities and opportunities
- Mentorship and meetings with President Jeff Cox twice a year
- Opportunities to participate in special events associated with Wilkes Community College as designated by the scholarship coordinator
- Exam survival kits and more
Who is Eligible?
- Current high school student (1 selected from each school in our service area)
- Students enrolled full-time (12 hours minimum)
- Students having an unweighted GPA of 2.8 or higher (2.5 GPA to renew for the second year)
- Students who demonstrate financial need and complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
- Students who are committed to completing program requirements
How To Apply
The Step Up Leadership Scholarship is a renewable scholarship. Applications are selected each year and the deadline is July 1. To apply:
- Go to https://wilkescc.academicworks.com/.
- Sign in using your Wilkes Community College student credentials and complete the General Application.
For questions, please contact:
Development & Community Resources Specialist
Phone: 336-838-6158
shwhitley877@wilkescc.edu
For more information about the Henry Moore Scholarship Golf Classic, contact:
Development and Volunteer Specialist
Phone: 336-838-6262
dfparsons290@wilkescc.edu
Endowed and General Scholarships
These scholarships are provided through the generosity of private donors or organizations in our community who support our students, programs, and our mission. Donors may establish an endowment or fund a scholarship annually to acknowledge the needs of our students at Wilkes Community College .
If you are interested in establishing a scholarship, please contact:
Development & Community Resources Specialist
Phone: 336-838-6158
shwhitley877@wilkescc.edu
Ways to Give
Cash Gifts
Cash gifts are the most direct way to give to the Wilkes Community College Foundation. Cash gifts can be used to support annual fund campaigns, capital campaigns, scholarships, and special events. Cash gifts made by check should be payable to Wilkes Community College Foundation, PO Box 120, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.
Matching Gifts
What is better than one gift? A gift that has doubled. A great way to leverage your gift is to ask your employer to match your gift through a matching gift program. Credit is given to both the donor and the company when the matching gift is received.
Gifts of Securities
Gifts of securities (stocks and bonds) are becoming a more popular way to give. If you are making a gift of securities, please contact Allison Phillips at 336-838-6491 with details of the stock or mutual fund you are giving. This ensures that your gift is properly received. To make the transaction for the transfer of funds, contact Linda Gregory, Wells Fargo Securities Advisor, at 336-667-1291.
Account #8998-6211
DTC 0141
Federal Tax ID: 23-7338790
Planned Giving
Planned giving allows an individual to have a lasting influence on Wilkes Community College. The most common form is a bequest, which is a gift made through a will or living trust. A donor can designate a specific dollar amount or a percentage of the estate.
Naming Opportunities
Want to leave a lasting legacy at Wilkes Community College? Naming a building, other physical structures, outdoor structures, or scholarships can be a wonderful way to honor someone. Financial requirements for naming opportunities differ. For more information, contact:
VP of Institutional Advancement; Executive Director, WCC Foundation
Phone: 336-838-6491
alphillips068@wilkescc.edu
The Wilkes Community College Heritage Society honors friends who contribute to the vision and success of their community college by including our institution in planned giving. Eligibility is extended to any donor that includes a personal gift to the college in their long-range or estate plans through gifts of cash, property, stock, insurance policies, individual retirement gifts or other assets.
Ways to Give
- Bequests: make a gift in your will
- Charitable Remainder Trust: pays you income based on the asset value
- Charitable Gift Annuity: your transferred assets benefit your favored charity and you through life income payments
- Charitable Lead Trust: provides for WCC as well as your children
- Donor Advised Fund: simple and flexible, provides immediate tax benefits but you still have input on future disbursements
- Retained Life Estate: one of your valued possessions, your home, can become a valued gift even while you are living in it
What to Give
- Cash: simplest way to give
- Securities: the best securities to donate are appreciated stocks
- Life Insurance: name WCC as a beneficiary
- Real Estate: if you own your property that is paid off, you can transfer this asset to a beneficiary but still live in it
- Retirement Plan Assets: reduce tax to heirs by naming WCC as a beneficiary
How to Give
When you are ready to make a gift:
- Talk to your financial advisor or estate planning attorney to decide what you want to give and the way you want to give it.
- Contact: Allison Phillips, BS
VP of Institutional Advancement; Executive Director, WCC Foundation
Phone: 336-838-6491
alphillips068@wilkescc.edu - Tell others about the benefits of planned giving: Extend your reach into the future by giving gifts that will endure beyond your lifetime. Obtain immediate and/or tax benefits. Receive life income benefits with certain gifts.
Your name and/or the person(s) you wish to honor will be placed on the Heritage Society Plaque that is mounted in the Lakey Ballroom of the John A. Walker Center.
Foundation Events
The WCC Scholarship Gala is held annually at the John A. Walker Center. The 2021 event will include cocktail hour with dinner, desserts, and a dance immediately following. Entertainment will be provided by the band “Bounce”.
Proceeds from this event support the Keys to Success Campaign. For more questions or more information, please contact:
Development & Community Resources Specialist
Phone: 336-838-6158
shwhitley877@wilkescc.edu
Wilkes Community College Foundation’s 37th Annual Henry Moore Scholarship Golf Classic was a great success! Since 1984, this event has contributed $711,610 to Wilkes Community College in memory of Henry Moore. This year’s proceeds totaled over $46,000 and will provide scholarships to students who participate in the WCC Step Up Leadership program. Window World, Inc. was lead sponsor for the tournament held at Oakwoods Country Club.
History
Henry Moore was a strong supporter of Wilkes Community College and instrumental in the establishment of Oakwoods Country Club. He had a significant role in the planning of WCC’s first golf tournament with the help of the layout and details of the event. Henry was also the first player to sign up to play. Unfortunately, Henry Moore passed away a few months prior to the first tournament in 1984. Saddened by the loss of a great friend and supporter, the college named the tournament the Henry Moore Golf Classic in his memory.
The golf classic supports the Step Up Leadership Scholarship program. Each year players, sponsors and volunteers support the tournament in helping with the educational journey of WCC students through leadership seminars, mentorships, and career preparations!
The golf tournament is held the first Thursday of October each year.
Contact Us
For information on sponsorships or participating in the Henry Moore Scholarship Golf Classic in 2021, contact:
Development and Volunteer Specialist
Phone: 336-838-6262
dfparsons290@wilkescc.edu
MerleFest was founded in 1988 in memory of Eddy Merle Watson as a fundraiser for Wilkes Community College and to celebrate ‘traditional plus’ music.
We are about the MUSIC, MOMENTS and MEMORIES!
Visit the official MerleFest website for ticket information, sponsor and volunteer opportunities!
Forms and Reports
Board of Directors
Arnold Lakey, President
Jim Smoak, Vice President
Carolyn Brookshire Pardue, Secretary
William Watts, Treasurer
Linda Absher
David Bauguess
Evelyn Bumgarner
Terry Bumgarner
David Deal
Claude C. Faw
Cam Finley
Ben Garrett
Lee Herring
Danny Holman
Cathy Huie
Gary Johnson
Jackie Mallory
Connie McNeill
Luther Parks
Christy Perry
Phil Stevens
Bill Warden
Tammy Whitworth
Dr. Jeff Cox, Ex Officio and President of Wilkes Community College
Allison Phillips, Executive Director, WCC Foundation
Contact Us
WCC Foundation
PO Box 120
Wilkesboro, NC 28697
Fax: 336-838-6277
VP of Institutional Advancement; Executive Director, WCC Foundation
Phone: 336-838-6491
alphillips068@wilkescc.edu
Administrative Assistant
Phone: 336-838-6508
Fax: 336-903-3208
tcbenfield924@wilkescc.edu
Development Sponsorship Specialist
Phone: 336-838-6475
Fax: 336-903-3186
mjennings992@wilkescc.edu
Development and Volunteer Specialist
Phone: 336-838-6262
dfparsons290@wilkescc.edu
Development & Community Resources Specialist
Phone: 336-838-6158
shwhitley877@wilkescc.edu
Foundation News
WCC announces John Greene and Grace Jennings Shepherd Scholarship recipients
Wilkes Community College announced the 2020-2021 John Greene and Grace Jennings Shepherd Scholarship recipients. The following students each received $1,000; William Prevette, Ronda; Alyssa Royal, Millers Creek; Breanna Ward, Wilkesboro; and Anna Phillips, McGrady. William ...
WCC announces the Kyle M. Gentry Scholarship recipient
Tori Combs Wilkes Community College announced that Tori Combs of Wilkesboro is the 2020-2021 Kyle M. Gentry Scholarship recipient. Combs received a $1,200 scholarship. Tori Combs, a Wilkes County native, recently received her ...
Bowman Rare Book Collection Dedication held at WCC
l-r: Angela Roten, Dr. Jeff Cox, Arnold Lakey, Bumgarner, Tom Bowman, Karolen Bowman, Allison Phillips, Mike Wingler, and Christy Earp. A dedication ceremony was held on Thursday, December 10, 2020, for the Bowman ...
