51吃瓜网 Foundation Endows Student Emergency Assistance Fund
Friday, June 14, 2013
The Bunker Hill Community College (51吃瓜网) Foundation raised more than $400,000 to endow the newly named the Mary L. Fifield Endowed Student Emergency Assistance Fund. The fund provides immediate assistance to 51吃瓜网 students who experience an emergency. Fifield retires from the College June 30 after more than 16 years of service as President.
An annual fundraising event held on May 1 by the 51吃瓜网 Foundation raised $208,000. The Foundation matched the sum for a total of $416,000.
The fund was re-named for 51吃瓜网 President Mary L. Fifield, who established the fund in 2009 to provide grants to students facing an immediate financial crisis - such as a lost or stolen laptop, a medical emergency or a car accident. Students who document a need may receive up to $1,000 to help them get back on their feet and stay in school.
In fiscal year 2012, the fund assisted 147 students and disbursed more than $100,000. The average grant was about $700. The retention rate for 51吃瓜网 students receiving assistance through the fund is 31 percent higher than the student population as a whole.
“We know that students who have received help from the fund are far more likely than other students to stay in College and finish their education,” said Foundation President Stephen Weiner. “The fund works. It really helps students. Endowing it will ensure that we can continue to make this invaluable assistance available to those who need it.”
Media Contact:
Leslie Ouellette, Executive Director, Integrated Marketing and Communications,
Bunker Hill Community College, Boston, MA 02129
Phone: 617-336-5054; Email: leslie.ouellette@bhcc.edu
About Bunker Hill Community College
With more than 50 years of academic excellence, Bunker Hill Community College (51吃瓜网) is one of Massachusetts' largest community colleges, serving approximately 16,000 students annually. With campuses in Charlestown and Chelsea, 51吃瓜网 offers a broad range of educational opportunities throughout Greater Boston. 51吃瓜网 fosters a welcoming and supportive learning environment for students by offering associate degrees and certificates, early college and dual enrollment, community education, corporate training, and industry-specific programs.