Endowments

An endowment fund consists of funds that are invested by the foundation with only the earnings being used to fund projects or activities consistent with the mission of the College. The funds may be restricted for specific purposes such as scholarships or to support a program or they may be unrestricted for general use by the College. Most current endowments are being used for scholarships in response to the growing enrollment trend and the wishes of the donors. The SSCC Foundation is audited annually by a public accounting firm to assure that donors’ wishes are being followed.

THE JULIA BARTHEL ART ENDOWED FUND
Family and friends of the late Julia Barthel have endowed a scholarship in her memory. She attended Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky and finished her degree in art at Wilmington College, Ohio. She continued to take art classes at Southern State and belonged to The Leesburg Brush and Palette Guild and the Appalachian Artisan Guild. Art was her passion in life. She focused on watercolors and pastels of flowers and painted landscapes and still life.

THE PAM AND CARL BECK ENDOWED FUND
Pam and Carl Beck have established an endowment with proceeds restricted to Staff Development for the Appalachian Gateway Center. This contribution was important to the Becks as they have been instrumental in promoting the growth and success of the Appalachian Gateway Center and Southern State. Through people like the Becks, SSCC has been able to expand the opportunities for many in our service area.

THE BENNETT FAMILY MEMORIAL ENDOWED FUND
Through the gifts of family and many friends, the late Steven Bennett, is being remembered. Being a young victim of cancer, many Fayette Countians expressed their desire to do something in Steve’s memory following his untimely death. This fund has been established to continue Steve’s legacy of helping others. Continued gifts from family and friends of the Bennett’s will be added to this fund. The fund is restricted to providing scholarships to Fayette County residents pursuing their educational goals.

THE JOYCE FENDER FAMILY MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT                                         The Joyce Fender Family established this fund to honor the late Joyce Fender. Joyce Magee Fender was an innovator in the world of business and an inspiration to many who knew her. On April 1, 1990, Fender founded Classic Real Estate Company, which became an immediate success in southern, Ohio area. The personal relationships Fender made with clients and her tremendous hard work was a big part of her success. This scholarship fund, created in her memory, will provide financial assistance to a student pursuing a business major, preferably in Real Estate, is a single mother, and exhibits a need for financial assistance.  

PATRON OF THE ARTS                                                                                        The Patron of the Arts fund has been established by the college to support the artistic programs that we offer in our five-county service area. Through various fundraising efforts, we plan on providing both scholarships and support to all of our programs here at Southern State. Gifts to this endowment can be designated through your generosity, and we hope this effort will allow our arts programs to grow and flourish in their endeavors.

THE EDWARD K. DANIELS MEMORIAL ENDOWED FUND
A memorial fund in honor of one of the College’s long-time educator and friend, Edward K. Daniels, was recently established. The fund was established in memory of Daniels’ lifelong devotion to broadening students’ horizons and his commitment to positively impacting students’ lives. Upon his passing numerous people echoed, “We want to do something special in Ed’s memory,” and the Edward K. Daniels Memorial Scholarship Fund has served as an avenue for those individuals to keep his legacy alive. 

FIFTH-THIRD BANK’S BUSINESS DIALOGUE ENDOWED FUND
Fifth Third Bank’s Charitable Trusts Department and the Charles Moerlein Foundation has provided the funding to create a Business Dialogue Series at the College. The Business Dialogue Series provides a format for both formal and informal discussion to occur between local businesses, the community and students, and business leaders from around the world. The intent is to bring CEOs, entrepreneurs, government officials and other individuals whose decisions influence the business environment to the College campus where they are provided the opportunity to interact with both students and area residents from the business community. Response to the Business Dialogue Series has been extremely positive.

THE ROBERT A. AND DOROTHY M. HODSON ENDOWED FUND
Robert and Dorothy Hodson have established this endowed fund for the purpose of fulfilling a vision to make life better through education. The Hodson’s want to leave a portion of their success in their Highland County community so that their children and grandchildren, as well as other families can benefit from an educated society with strong leaders. This scholarship provides financial assistance to students from Highland County who exhibit good leadership qualities with a G.P.A. of 2.5 or higher. 

THE BAGSHAW ENTERPRISES, INC. KFC ENDOWMENT                             Bagshaw Enterprises, Inc. has invested scholarship dollars to assist Southern State Community College students employed at their area Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) or Long John Silvers (Wilmington and Jeffersonville) locations with the cost of education. Students benefiting from this fund are those who have earned a high school diploma or GED; are attending SSCC full-time; and are maintaining at least 12 hours of continuous employment at a KFC or Long John Silvers operated by Bagshaw Enterprises, Inc.

WILLIAM F. THOROMAN MEMORIAL ENDOWMENT FUND                                Family and friends of William F. Thoroman have endowed a scholarship in his memory. Bill was a friend of the college and served on the Southern State Foundation Board. After Bill retired from the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction, he started working for Southern State as the Corrections Program Assistant and helped establish the program at the Correction Reception Center in Orient. Bill was proud of his association with the college and encouraged both high school students and adults to enroll for classes. He would be very pleased to have his memory honored this way.

THE JUDGE DARRELL AND CATHERINE HOTTLE NURSING ENDOWED FUND
The Hottle family provided scholarship assistance to nursing students for many years. After Judge Hottle’s death, his wife Catherine wanted to continue providing scholarships through an endowment. Mrs. Hottle is a nurse and has been very active in supporting the SSCC nursing programs.

THE CINDY IGO MEMORIAL ENDOWED FUND
An endowment was established to provide scholarships in recognition of the late Cindy Cowne Igo, Administrative Assistant at the College for many years. Before becoming a member of the Southern State staff, Cindy was a student at SSCC. At 43, Cindy died from breast cancer. She was an inspiration to all that met her. While Cindy was fighting her illness she carried out her professional duties and also taught as an adjunct faculty member. Scholarships are available to students enrolled in the Office Information Technology or Business Management Programs. 

THE JOANNE JACOBSON MEMORIAL ENDOWED FUND
This endowment was established to honor the late JoAnne Jacobson, Southern State Nursing Professor. JoAnne was a member of the Southern State family, a nurse, and a dedicated educator. This fund was established to provide scholarships to outstanding nursing students. 

THE DOUGLAS R. AND DR. SUSAN L. SEIPELT FAMILY ENDOWMENT              Doug and Susan created this endowment in hopes of providing a brighter future for community members through education. The Seipelt family's commitment o education has a longstanding history and it is their wish that the tradition continue. Through this endowment, Doug and Susan hope to provide others with  the same opportunities their family has been afforded through the pursuit of lifelong learning. This scholarship will provide financial assistance to students from Adams, Brown, and Highland counties who exhibit responsibility to themselves, their family, school, and community as well as demonstrate consistent leadership qualities.

THE WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE D.A.R.E. ENDOWMENT                                 The Washington Court House Police Department created this endowment with the hope of providing an educational opportunity to a Southern State Community College student majoring in Law Enforcement. This scholarship will provide financial assistance to current graduates of Washington Senior High School from Fayette County. Students receiving this award must demonstrate good leadership qualities, community involvement, and academic excellence.

THE DR. SAMUEL N. LADRACH MEMORIAL ENDOWED FUND
The late Dr. Samuel (Sam) Ladrach, Southern State Psychology Professor, promoted endeavors that positively impacted students as well as the College. A scholarship was established in honor of his love for his profession and the College. This endowment secures Sam’s lifelong wish of promoting quality education. Understanding that the College has a vital role in the community, the Ladrach family decided this endowment would be a way to assist area students for years to come. Dr. Ladrach was a pillar on which the college grew and developed through the years. His devotion will remain constant through the use of these endowed funds. This scholarship is restricted to an outstanding student who epitomizes the spirit of the College and Dr. Samuel N. Ladrach and is selected by faculty.

THE COLONEL CHARLES J. POMMERT ENDOWED FUND
Family and friends of the late Colonel Charles J. Pommert, USAR-RET, have endowed a scholarship in his memory. Colonel Pommert, a 1955, graduate of McClain High, was an honor student and a multiple sport athlete. Continuing his education, he attended Ohio State University College of Dentistry and graduated in 1962. He practiced dentistry in Greenfield until retiring in 1998. Colonel Pommert served in the US Army as a dentist on both active and reserve duty for over 35 years. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal while serving in Vietnam in 1968. This scholarship is based on academic achievement, community service, and athletic achievement. 

THE YOUCAN-YOUTH TO COLLEGE AWARENESS NOW ENDOWMENT
The YouCAN (Youth to College Awareness Now) Foundation was founded in the spring of 2002 for the purpose of establishing "Last Dollar" scholarships for Ripley Union Lewis Huntington School District students. "Last Dollar" scholarships are given to students who have exhausted every possible avenue to finance their college careers. The mission of the YouCAN Foundation is to encourage all Ripley School District students to meet their highest potential through education, thereby enhancing the quality of their lives and strengthening the regional economy. The Foundation is responsible for funds held in memory of Kayla Ruark and Beth Popham.

THE PAUL NEFF MEMORIAL ENDOWED FUND                                          Established to honor the late Paul Neff, this scholarship was designed to provide funds to qualified students, assisting them toward the completion of education in Chemical Dependency at Southern State Community College. Students interested in this program, from Adams and Brown Counties, may benefit from this endowment.    

THE EUGENE WORTHINGTON BROWN COUNTY RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION ENDOWED FUND
The Eugene Worthington Brown County Rural Water Association Endowment Fund was established to offer scholarships to siblings of Brown County Rural Water Association employees as well as students from Brown County and the surrounding areas who meet the high academic qualifications.

THE DONALD E. AND ANN E. FENDER ENDOWMENT                                           Don and Ann created this endowment to assist students of Southern State Community College from Adams, Brown, and Highland Counties in obtaining an education. Entering and returning students pursuing a higher level education in any health related field of their choice, leading to a certificate, an associate or baccalaureate degree benefits from this endowed fund.

THE PAUL AND MAE JANE PENCE ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS                      Paul and Mae Jane Pence, longtime residents of Hillsboro and strong supporters of the arts, left a portion of their estate to Southern State Community College. They were frequent attendees at the various concerts and cultural events at the college and for many years worked with the community concert series. Their gift is being used to establish an endowment fund to support the fine and performing arts program at the college and may be used for a variety of cultural programming and scholarships.