Foundation honors 'Power of Partnership'

The Foundation recognized its generous donors as part of its "Power of Partnership" campaign to help the College as it continues a major expansion plan to better serve Seminole County.

The group was acknowledged on stage during the 24th annual Dream Auction Gala held Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Orlando-Lake Mary Marriott.

"An audience of more than 350 College friends and supporters made this the perfect event to recognize the corporations and individuals who have made this institution their priority and helped to change our students' lives forever," said Foundation Director Matt Hodge.

Those recognized were:

• Executives from Central Florida’s leading hospitals: Rob Fulbright, Florida Hospital Altamonte; John Hillenmeyer and Steve Glazier, Orlando Regional Healthcare; and Bobby McCullough, Central Florida Regional Hospital. Donations from each of the three hospitals combined with state match netted $1.5 million, and helped fund equipment and faculty for the College's expanded healthcare programs at the new Altamonte Springs Campus.
• Tom Moore, whose father Lee's donation, plus state match established the Ann Wiggins Moore Center for Nursing and Healthcare Professions at the Altamonte Springs Campus with a total of $1.6 million.
• Barbara Miller, executive vice president of the Central Florida Auto Dealers Association; and Mike Collier of Collier Jaguar, who partnered with the College to construct the Professional Automotive Training Center on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus. The CFADA raised $2.5 million, which the state matched with an additional $2.5 million.
• Lynn Owen, CEO of Insight Financial Credit Union. Insight's $1 million gift will help fund construction of a signature building on the Sanford/Lake Mary Campus.
• Art Grindle, a veteran businessman and longtime College supporter, whose $1 million donation established the Art & Phyllis Grindle Honors Institute.
• Eric Palmer, senior vice president of Wharton-Smith. The Sanford-based construction firm's $400,000 gift, including state match, established the Wharton-Smith Center for Construction at the College's Center for Economic Development at Heathrow.

Also in attendance at the black-tie event were County Commission Chair Brenda Carey, county school board member and College Trustee Dede Schaffner, and county Commissioner Mike McLean.

Scott McKenzie of "The Scott & Erica Morning Show" on Mix 105.1 served as master of ceremonies.

The evening concluded with a performance by the nationally-renowned political satire group the Capitol Steps. This year's event featured a new raffle format. The top prizes included weeklong vacations to Ireland and Vail, Colo.; golf and sports packages; and a Disney cruise.

The annual Dream Auction Gala has raised more than $1.4 million for student programs and scholarships.

Each year the Gala, along with the Dream Cup Charity Golf Tournament, generates nearly $200,000 in support of the College's areas of greatest need.

Photo: Tom Moore, Rob Fulbright, Bobby McCullough, Steve Glazier, President E. Ann McGee, John Hillenmeyer, Eric Palmer, Barbara Miller, Mike Collier, Art Grindle and Lynn Owen.