Come join us on the WPCC campus for an evening of socializing, tasty bites & outdoor games as we share information about the foundation’s Legacy Fund & how your contributions can make a difference in students’ lives…. RSVP by May 12 by visiting wpcc.edu/rsvp or by calling 828-448-6156.
What is the Legacy Fund?
The Western Piedmont Foundation established the Legacy Fund in 2024 in honor of the 60th anniversary of Western Piedmont Community College. The purpose of the fund is to help future WPCC students overcome financial barriers they may encounter while pursuing their education.
The fund is tied to a Title III “Strengthening Institutions” grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The first $150,000 contributed to the fund by 2028 will be matched by the grant, dollar for dollar.
WPCC’s most important Title III goal is improving student persistence, retention and graduation rates. Persistence means students attend both fall and spring semesters. Retention means students make it from one fall semester to the next.
Today’s economic climate makes it extremely difficult for some to persist in their education. Forty-two percent of Burke County residents live under 200 percent of the federal poverty level, according to the 2022 Burke County Health Assessment. In-state tuition has risen about 36 percent in the last decade, while average U.S. wages have only grown about 4.1 percent, according to 2024 federal data.
These bleak statistics translate into real people forced to put their dreams of higher education on hold while they struggle to make ends meet. This includes the father working full time and raising a family while trying to earn a degree, or the first-generation college student juggling classes with a fast-food job because her father is disabled and they are relying on her mother’s income to get by.
The foundation will work to grow The Legacy Fund into an endowment that will pave the way for students like these to earn an affordable, high-quality education by addressing their most urgent needs. The fund can be used to pay for things like textbooks, a tire repair or expenses for a class trip. This kind of support can make a world of difference for those students.
Funds also will be earmarked for college program enhancements, classroom updates and student support services where other funding is not available, ensuring that WPCC can continue to offer a wide variety of cutting-edge learning experiences and meet the needs of the evolving workforce.
Please consider supporting our students by contributing to the Legacy Fund. It will be an investment in the future success of our community for years to come.
Also check out other Workshops in Morganton, Health & Wellness events in Morganton.
