WVC Foundation names Alcoa 2014 Outstanding Friend of the College

Media Contact: Stacey Lockhart, Foundation executive director, 509.682.6415, or, Jens Lee, Alcoa public relations superintendent, 509.663.9246

March 24, 2015

Jeff Riley, Alcoa Interim Plant Manager; Ron Lodge, WVC Foundation President; and Sheila Callihan, Alcoa Human Resources Manager.

 

Alcoa was awarded the 2014 Outstanding Friend of the College at the annual Wenatchee Valley College Foundation fundraiser event, Winetasia, in March.

The relationship between Alcoa and Wenatchee Valley College extends back to 1990, when Alcoa made its first gift to the college. Since then, contributions to the college have reached $547,400. Those contributions have supported program development and funded scholarships, faculty awards, and educational opportunities.

Through their grant program, Alcoa has supported the WVC Industrial Technology programs. Alcoa grant funding helped to purchase a 3D printer necessary to launch the digital design program. Recently, the Alcoa Foundation provided $115,000 to assist in the development of the WVC Machining program, which included curriculum development, equipment and software purchases, and much more.

The Alcoa Foundation has underwritten the WVC Excellence in Teaching Award, presented annually to an outstanding faculty member, and the WVC Classified Staff Award, also presented annually to a classified staff member for outstanding service to the college. Funding has also supported programs such as Expanding Your Horizons, a program that introduces sixth to ninth grade girls to careers in math, science and technology; Try a Trade, which provides hands-on workshops that introduce professional/technical careers to high school students; and the ACE Leadership program, designed to engage high school seniors and provide scholarships to attend WVC.

Alcoa has also provided leadership support. Alcoa employees have served on the Industrial Technology Advisory Board to assist in program and curriculum development. The Alcoa Foundation has encouraged and helped to prepare grant applications. Alcoa employees—such as former plant manager Phil Rasmussen and human resources manager Sheila Callihan—serve on the WVC Board of Trustees and the WVC Foundation Board of Directors.

"Alcoa is truly an outstanding friend of WVC, and the relationship between the two is stronger than ever," said Stacey Lockhart, WVC Foundation Executive Director. "This nomination is for Alcoa as a global entity, one that believes in education and cares about developing a strong and diverse workforce through their support at Wenatchee Valley College."