PRESQUE ISLE — Four students who will be enrolled at Northern Maine Community College during the upcoming 2013-14 academic year will be the recipients of free tuition for both semesters thanks to a fundraiser being undertaken by the NMCC Alumni & Friends Organization.
“We were looking for a way to raise funds for our organization so we can better reach out to alumni through activities such as Homecoming and regional gatherings,” said Mike Thibodeau, president of the alumni group. “A tuition raffle came to mind since it is done successfully at other educational institutions, and it is a chance to provide a direct benefit to the students who win.”
Not only did NMCC President Timothy Crowley endorse the idea when approached by members from the NMCC Alumni & Friends Organization, but he expanded their initial idea of drawing one winner, by suggesting that a winner be drawn from each of the college’s four academic departments.
“This is an opportunity for the college to support our alumni organization whose members have been a great resource for us in recent years by volunteering their efforts to organize an annual Homecoming, to help during graduation and much more. By assisting them in building funds to work with as they offer events, we are helping them become an even more vibrant organization for their fellow alumni,” said Crowley. “By broadening the effort to allow for one winner from each department, more of our students will have some of their financial burden lifted for the coming year. It’s a win-win opportunity for us.”
Tickets are available for a contribution of $10 per ticket. These tickets will be mailed to current and incoming NMCC students and their families for the opportunity to take part in the raffle. Tickets will also be available from the NMCC alumni office on campus and from members of the NMCC Alumni & Friends Organization.
The winning tickets will be drawn Aug. 19. The lucky four students who win will receive free tuition for up to 12 credit hours for the fall 2013 semester and another 12 credit hours for the spring 2014 semester. A maximum amount of 24 credit hours will be awarded for the year.
“While this will not cover all the costs associated with attending college, it is an outstanding starting point,” said Thibodeau. “We are hopeful that this will become an annual tradition.”
For more information on this fundraiser or to obtain tickets, contact the NMCC alumni office at 760-1188.
