BC3 Education Foundation, Inc. nears $5M in gifts to Pioneer Proud Campaign

Campaign moves to community phase

(Butler, PA) The BC3 Education Foundation, Inc. reported to the BC3 Board of Trustees today that the Pioneer Proud Campaign is nearing $5M in gifts and pledges. The quiet phase of the Campaign was launched in 2013 with the goal of increasing private investment to critical initiatives at the College. According the Ruth Purcell, Executive Director of the BC3 Education Foundation, Inc., the community phase of the campaign is now underway with a focus on support of the Heaton Family Learning Commons.

“We will continue our efforts until we achieve our fundraising goals with a focus on the library initiative. We want to make sure that the Heaton Family Learning Commons has state of the art technology so that BC3 students are well prepared to use information technology in their future jobs and education,” said Purcell.

The Heaton Family Learning Commons will be the new center of the BC3 campus as it will include a café, outdoor patio and areas for group study and traditional quiet areas. “Such tremendous progress has been made with the renovation of the building that we are confident the community will step forward to help complete this project,” Purcell continued.

The Pioneer Proud Campaign set a goal of raising $5.5M to transform the college library; enhance student access and success; and to support regional economic development through new career pathways and workforce development programs. The Campaign has been led by a steering committee of community leaders and college officials who have guided the campaign. Bob Hunter and Nancy Hunter Mycka, both with Hunter Truck Sales and Service, are Co-chairs of the Campaign.

“Over the past two years, we have met with individuals and companies who we believed had the ability to make leadership gifts to the campaign and we have been overwhelmed and extremely gratified by the response,” said Mycka.

“This certainly demonstrates the value that leaders in the community believe BC3 provides to Butler,” commented Hunter. “I have been involved with campaigns at several schools and what makes this campaign stand out is how many gifts are from Butler County people and the spirit in which the gifts are made. The $1M gift from Bob Heaton to fund the Heaton Family Learning Commons is just one example of this.”

The Pioneer Proud Campaign Steering Committee will continue their work and hope to reach all who have an interest in supporting the campaign.

“The Heaton Family Learning Commons will be not only the center of the BC3 campus, but provide space for community meetings and informal gatherings. This is just another way that BC3 is truly a community resource. So many of the recent improvements, including the Shaffer Walking Trail, on the BC3 campus would not happen without private gifts. We are beyond appreciative of this generous support,” said BC3 President, Dr. Nicholas Neupauer.

There are still a few naming recognition opportunities in the Heaton Family Learning Commons and all contributors will be recognized by the Campaign. For additional information, contact Ruth Purcell at 724-287-8711, ext. 8368 or ruth.purcell@bc3.edu.