Wor-Wic Kicks Off $5 Million Fundraising Campaign

SALISBURY -- Dr. Ray Hoy, president of Wor-Wic Community College, announced the start of the public phase of a $5 million fundraising campaign at a formal kick-off celebration at the college recently, attended by key donors, and members of the board of trustees, the college foundation and campaign steering committee.

Hoy announced that gifts and pledges to the “Providing for Today While Ensuring Tomorrow” campaign are almost at $3 million. During the silent phase of the campaign, the college was able to raise almost 60 percent of the $5 million goal. Two leadership gifts were announced at the kick-off, including $1 million from the Hazel Family Foundation and $1 million from the Richard A. Henson Foundation.

In recognition of the $1 million gift from the Hazel family, the college announced that it is re-naming the Student Center as the Hazel Center in memory of the late Richard and Patricia Hazel and their children.

The $1 million Henson challenge pledge, which is dependent upon the college raising $1 million in gifts from other donors, will establish the Richard A. Henson Fund for Tomorrow.

Hoy explained that there are two purposes of the campaign: to meet immediate needs and to provide a perpetual source of funding for the future.

Gifts that “provide for today” help meet immediate and short-term needs at Wor-Wic, such as ensuring that technology is kept up to date and providing for the establishment of occupational therapy and physical therapist assistant programs.

“We have the space and equipment at Wor-Wic for the occupational therapy and physical therapist assistant programs, but we don’t have the operating funds to get them started. We have to raise that money,” Hoy said. “These two programs can fill a community need. There are good paying jobs with family sustaining wages available in the community for graduates of these programs.”

Gifts to “ensure tomorrow” will create endowments for the future. This will provide a continued source of funds for the enhancement of the college’s operating budget and special programs to ensure that Wor-Wic continues to meet the education and training needs of residents and businesses on Maryland’s Lower Eastern Shore for generations to come.

“Private contributions have always made a difference, but never more so than now,” Hoy said. “During this recession, public funding has been unable to keep pace with enrollment growth. We are starting this campaign at a very challenging time – right in the middle of the recession – because we need it. And, many have already stepped up.”

Anyone interested in more information about the campaign or naming opportunities that are available can call Janice Murphy, director of development at Wor-Wic, at 410-334-2808.