Community involvement has been the cornerstone upon which Southern State has built its long tradition of success. The Southern State Foundation Board of Trustees gives unselfishly of its time and talent. We value their commitment and support of Southern State’s mission of ensuring that all people have education and enrichment opportunities to improve their quality of life and standard of living.

• Ms. Bambi Baughn — Fayette County
• Mr. Roger Blackburn — Fayette County
• Mr. Russ Brewer — Adams County
• Dr. Mark Brooker — Clinton County
• Dr. Doris Charles — Brown County
• Mr. Edward Fuhrmann — Brown County
• Mr. Doug Green — Brown County
• Mrs. Norma Green — Brown County
• Mr. Willis Herdman — Brown County
• Mr. Robert Judkins — Highland County
• Mr. Jon Linkous — Brown County
• Mr. Dan Mongold — Clinton County
• Mrs. Sandy Mongold — Clinton County
• Mr. David Morrow — Fayette County
• Ms. Sheri Smith — Highland County
• Mr. Craig Turner — Highland County

Ex Officio Members

• Dr. Vicki Wilson — College Board Chairperson
• Dr. Kevin Boys — President
• Mr. Jim Buck — Vice President of Business and Finance
• Ms. Becky Storer — Faculty Senate Representative

When you give a gift to Southern State through the Foundation, you become part of the great work the college is doing. The college’s ability to continually foster student success depends on support from our alumni and friends, foundations, corporations and other valued partners, like you. Through your support, students will continue to receive the education and skills needed to make a difference in our local workforce and economy.

By making a gift to the college, you will help students succeed by providing scholarships, advanced equipment and enhanced educational programs.

Gifts to the Foundation may come as bequests (money, stock, real estate—usually specified in a will), life insurance, planned giving programs or as memorials. All gifts accepted by the Foundation are tax-deductible within the regulations established by the Internal Revenue Service.

Make a Donation

To make a donation to Southern State’s Foundation please forward all correspondence to:

• Southern State Community College Foundation
• 100 Hobart Drive
• Hillsboro, OH 45133

Employee Giving

The commitment among the Southern State faculty and staff to providing accessible, affordable, high quality education is unparalleled. Many members of the Southern State family choose to demonstrate this commitment through the Employee Contribution Program. It’s easy and convenient. Employees can choose to do one-time gifts or setup a directed payroll deduction both of which are tax-deductible within the regulations of the Internal Revenue Service.

• Employee Foundation Contribution Form

Scholarships often pay tuition and fees and in some cases help students purchase textbooks or tools required for courses while some assist for temporary financial emergencies. Scholarships are often targeted to students with financial need and are often based on a variety of criteria including academic excellence, leadership capacity, program enrollment, community service, financial need and a variety of other criteria.

Establishing a scholarship through the Southern State Foundation is an investment in the future of our region. All such gifts are designed to serve students attending Southern State Community College and can be restricted or endowed to meet specific criteria established by the donor. Establishing such a scholarship fund is easy and accomplished through consultation with the Foundation’s Executive Director. The Foundation also appreciates unrestricted gifts which fund the Foundation Scholars program.

Annually the Foundation awards nearly $50,000 in scholarships to deserving students. Applications are available online or through the Office of Financial Aid. Generally, the scholarships are awarded on an annual basis with the exception of a few specialty funds.

• The Bagshaw Enterprises, Inc. KFC Scholarship
• Bagshaw Enterprises, Inc. has invested scholarship dollars to assist Southern State students employed at their area Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) or Long John Silvers (Wilmington and Jeffersonville) locations with the cost of education. Requirements: have earned high school diploma or GED, enrolled full-time at Southern State, maintain a minimum of 12 hours of employment per week at KFC or Long John Silvers. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Betty Chandler Hospice of Hope Scholarship

• Cassner Family Foundation Scholarship
• There will be two scholarships of $3,000 distributed over the academic school year to applicants entering Southern State full-time from Highland County. Requirements: maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 to continue receiving the scholarship throughout the academic year. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Cindy Igo Memorial Scholarship
• This $500 scholarship is designated in honor of the late Cindy Cowne Igo, Administrative Assistant. Requirements: must be current Southern State student enrolled in the Office Information Technology or Business Management program. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Colonel J. Pommert Memorial Scholarship
• This $500 scholarship is for graduates of McClain High School who have been active in community service and athletics while in school. Requirements: have a minimum high school GPA of 3.0. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Don & Ann Fender Scholarship
• This $500 scholarship is for residents of Adams, Brown, or Highland County who are pursuing a health-related degree. Preference will be given to nursing students professing a desire to work at Highland District Hospital. Requirements: have a minimum GPA of 2.6. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Douglas R. & Dr. Susan Seipelt Family Scholarship
• This scholarship is for residents of Adams, Brown or Highland County who are entering Southern State. Awards will be made based on a student’s ability to demonstrate consistent leadership qualities and exhibit responsibility to self, family, school, and community. Requirements: maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.6. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Dr. Lawrence & Gale Dukes Scholarship
• This scholarship is for residents of Adams, Brown, Clinton, Fayette or Highland County who can be a new or continuing student. Requirements: have a minimum GPA of 3.0, show need of financial assistance. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Dylan Philip Wilson Memorial Scholarship
• This scholarship is for a student from Georgetown High School now attending Southern State full-time. The scholarship amount is based on funding availability as determined by the Dylan Philip Wilson Scholarship Committee. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Edward K. Daniels Memorial Scholarship
• This $500 scholarship is designed to honor the late Edward K. Daniels, Drama Professor. Eligibility is restricted to a continuing Southern State drama student. Requirements: have minimum GPA of 2.5. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Elizabeth White Memorial Scholarship

• Eugene Worthington Memorial / Brown County Rural Water Scholarship
• Two $500 awards will be granted to applicants who must be siblings of a Brown County Rural Water Association employee and be students from Brown County and the surrounding areas. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Fayette County Scholars
• This $1000 scholarship is for students from Fayette County. Requirements: have a minimum GPA of 3.0, maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 to continue receiving the scholarship throughout the academic year. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Foundation Scholars

• Highland County Chamber of Commerce Scholarship

• Hottle Nursing Scholarship
• This $500 scholarship is awarded each year to a student accepted into the Nursing program at Southern State who is a resident of Brown, Clinton, Fayette or Highland County. Requirements: have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• JoAnne Jacobson Memorial Scholarship
• This $500 scholarship is designed to honor the late JoAnne Jacobson, Nursing Professor. Eligibility is restricted to a current outstanding nursing student selected by the nursing faculty. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Joyce Fender Family Scholarship
• This $500 scholarship is designated for students pursuing a business major, preferably in Real Estate. Requirements: must be a single mother, demonstrate a need for financial aid, maintain a GPA of 2.6 Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Julia Barthel Memorial Art Scholarship
• A $500 award for Southern State students focusing on art classes, specifically watercolors and pastels of flowers, painted landscapes and still life. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Kayla Ruark Memorial Scholarship

• Paul Neff Scholarship
• Two $500 scholarships will be awarded to one freshman and one sophomore who are from Adams or Brown county and are majoring in the Chemical Dependency program. Requirements: maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.6 to continue receiving the scholarship throughout the academic year. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Robert A. & Dorothy Hodson Scholarship
• Two $500 scholarships will be awarded to students from Highland County who demonstrate good leadership qualities. Requirements: have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Samuel Ladrach Memorial Scholarship
• Established in honor of the late Dr. Samuel (Sam) Ladrach, Southern State Psychology professor, this scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student who epitomizes the spirit of the college and Dr. Samuel Ladrach and is selected by faculty. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Shell Family Scholarship

• Steven Bennett Memorial Scholarship
• This $500 scholarship is for residents of Fayette County and is designated in honor of the late Steven Bennett of Fayette County. Requirements: have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Storer Family Scholarship
• This scholarship is for second year nursing students who have graduated from any Highland County high school. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Student Emergency Fund (Referral Required)
• This fund is to assist students who encounter unexpected financial hardships. Requirements: must be referred by a faculty or staff member, have a minimum GPA of 2.0.
• Application

• Washington Court House City Police Department Scholarship
• This $750 scholarship is for Fayette County residents who are recent graduates of Washington Senior High School or Miami Trace High School. The award is dispersed over a period of two semester ($375 per semester). Requirements: maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.6, must demonstrate good leadership qualities, community involvement, and academic excellence. Deadline: March 15
• Application

• Werline Art Scholarship

• William Horne Memorial Scholarship

Apply for Scholarships

You can apply for all of the available scholarships at the same time through one application!

• Scholarship Application

Like scholarships, program support gifts encourage student success through financial support of extended programming, capital improvements, student support services and cultural literacy. Together, these initiatives are investments in our community and in student success.

• Elmer & Helen Reed Fund (Health Sciences)
• Elmer Reed served as one of the first trustees of the newly formed Southern State Community College. Mr. Reed represented Fayette County from 1976 through 1988. He and his wife, Helen, remained highly interested in the progress of the new college and were particularly interested in the nursing programs that were developed and offered. Their interest in the program was clearly demonstrated as they left a major portion of their estate to support those programs in whatever way the college deemed appropriate. The estate is the largest gift ever received by Southern State.

• Fifth Third Bank (Business Dialogue Series)
• 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.

• Pam & Carl Beck Fund (Professional Development)
• Pam and Carl Beck have established an endowment with proceeds restricted to staff development for Southern State. This contribution is important to the Becks as they have been instrumental in promoting the growth and success of the college. Through people like the Becks, Southern State has been able to expand the opportunities for many in our service area.

• Pence Patron of the Arts Fund
• Paul and Mae Jane Pence, longtime residents of Hillsboro and strong supporters of the arts, left a portion of their estate to Southern State. 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 support the fine and performing arts program at the college and may be used for a variety of cultural programming and scholarships.

• Performing Arts Fund (SSCC Theatre)
• Established by the Southern State Theatre Department, this fund exists to support theatrical programming at the college.

• Southern State Patri-Tots Learning Center
• The Patri-Tots Learning Centers provide critical resources to students, faculty and staff in additon to the community at large. Often times, it is only because of this invaluable service that students can attend class and working parents can fulfill employment obligations. The needs to keep such programming available are great. Funding supports professional development of providers, instructional supplies and equipment and nutritional supplies.

Named funds designated by the donor for special purposes can honor an individual, a family, a business or other donor preference. An endowment may be established for a minimum of $10,000; gifts of any size can be made to an existing Foundation endowment.

For more information regarding deductions allowed under income and estate tax, please consult your tax advisor.

The following are endowed funds within the Southern State Foundation portfolio.

• Colonel Charles J. Pommert Memorial Endowment
• 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.

• Don & Ann Fender Endowment
• Don and Ann created this endowment to assist students of Southern State 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.

• Douglas R. & Dr. Susan 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 to 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.

• Dr. Lawrence & Gale Dukes Endowment
• Dr. Lawrence Dukes served as the president of Southern State from 1995 to 2007, a period of growth in students, programs and facilities. His wife, Gale, was also very active and supportive of the college during his tenure. The fund was established upon his retirement to honor their service to the college and its communities. The scholarship funds generated from the endowment are used to support students from the college’s service area. A 3.0 grade point average and community service are the criteria for receiving one of the awards.

• Dr. Sherry & Michael Stout Endowment

• Dylan Philip Wilson Memorial Endowment

• Edward K. Daniels Memorial Endowment
• 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.

• Elizabeth White Memorial Endowment

• Elmer & Helen Reed Endowment
• Elmer Reed served as one of the first trustees of the newly formed Southern State Community College. Mr. Reed represented Fayette County from 1976 through 1988. He and his wife, Helen, remained highly interested in the progress of the new college and were particularly interested in the nursing programs that were developed and offered. Their interest in the program was clearly demonstrated as they left a major portion of their estate to support those programs in whatever way the college deemed appropriate. The estate is the largest gift ever received by Southern State.

• Eugene Worthington Endowment
• 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.

• Fayette County Scholars Endowment

• Fifth Third Bank Endowment
• 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.

• Kayla Ruark Memorial Endowment

• Helen Frank Roush Endowment

• Highland County Fund

• Joanne Jacobson Memorial Endowment
• 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.

• Joyce Fender Family 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 the 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.

• Paul Neff Memorial Endowment
• 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. Students interested in this program from Adams and Brown Counties may benefit from this endowment.

• Pence Patron of the Arts Endowment
• Paul and Mae Jane Pence, longtime residents of Hillsboro and strong supporters of the arts, left a portion of their estate to Southern State. 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.

• Robert A. & Dorothy Hodson Endowment
• Robert and Dorothy Hodson have established this endowed fund for the purpose of fulfilling a vision to make life better through education. The Hodsons 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 minimum GPA of 2.5.

• Sizemore/Green Family Memorial Endowment

• Stephen Bennett Memorial Endowment
• 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.

• Storer Family Endowment

• William (Bill) Horne Memorial Endowment

• William F. Thoroman Memorial Endowment
• 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.