(Butler, PA) Butler County Community College Education Foundation, Inc. Pioneer Proud Campaign will officially conclude on June 30, 2016. The announcement was made by Campaign Co-Chairs, Bob Hunter and Nancy Hunter Mycka, at a Campaign Steering Committee meeting held at the College yesterday on Thursday, April 14.

To date, the comprehensive campaign has raised $6.5 million. Launched in 2013 with a goal of $5.5 million, the Campaign focused on three initiatives: renovating the John A. Beck Library; expanding scholarships and student opportunities; and supporting economic development.

“The Pioneer Proud Campaign has been a wonderful experience,” said Mycka, who also serves on the Foundation Board at BC3. “We have had incredible leadership from the Campaign Steering Committee volunteers who opened doors to so many new opportunities for BC3.

Thanks to their dedication we secured key leadership gifts early on that set the tone for the entire campaign. We were also inspired by the BC3 campus community where 83 percent of faculty and staff made gifts to the Campaign. This spoke volumes to the volunteers.”

A lead gift of $1 million was made in July of 2014 by Mr. Robert R. Heaton, local real estate developer and philanthropist. In honor of his generosity, the Beck Library will be re-named the Heaton Family Learning Commons. The family of John A. Beck (a member of the founding BC3 Board of Trustees and College benefactor) supported the new naming as the redesigned facility has grown beyond a traditional library. A robust book selection will remain in the Heaton Family Learning Commons and be named The John A. Beck Collection.

The Heaton Family Learning Commons will transform the look of the College’s main campus in Butler Township and offer both the campus and community new opportunities to consume and create knowledge. The technology that will be available includes high-tech classrooms, computer stations, and tech spaces that support team collaboration. The design incorporates the openness and natural lighting that defines a contemporary learning commons. There will be a café, patio, and study spaces making the Heaton Family Learning Commons the center of technology, education, and community on main campus. It will be open to welcome students for the fall 2016 semester.

Student scholarships have been increased during the Pioneer Proud Campaign with significant scholarship endowments created. The most notable new scholarships are the Glenn R. and Rhea J. Logan Scholarship and the Volunteer Firefighter Scholarship. Each of these scholarships have been endowed at the $250,000 level. During the Campaign, 50 new scholarships and funds were established. Support for initiatives such as College within the High School were also increased as a result of Campaign gifts.

The Campaign enhanced regional economic development by securing funding for several new certificate programs at BC3. A Petroleum and Natural Gas Certificate was created as part of the College’s curriculum. A unique College Within the High School offering is under development to pilot the certificate at Butler Area Senior High School. A county-wide economic study was also supported by funds raised in the Campaign.

“I have been involved in a number of major fundraising campaigns, but what convinced me to co-chair the Pioneer Proud Campaign was the impact of BC3 on the local economy,” said Co-Chair Bob Hunter. “The fact that the majority of graduates live and work in our community is impressive. I’ve always known about BC3, but being involved with this Campaign has shown me what a jewel it truly is. We are extremely grateful, but not surprised, that the community supports the College at the level it does. BC3 was recently named the No. 1 Community College in Pennsylvania. This reinforces my belief that BC3 changes lives of young people in the community and makes Butler a better place to live and work.”

For more information about the Pioneer Proud Campaign, please contact the BC3 Education Foundation, Inc. at 724-287-8711, ext. 8161.