ROME COLLEGE FOUNDATION

Committed to Serving the Rome NY Community's Needs for Higher Educational Opportunities

INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE

The Rome College Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1966, and supported by the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce and other local groups. Located in offices of the Chamber of Commerce in downtown Rome, it is managed by a Board of Trustees representing local businesses, industries, professions and academic institutions.

The mission of the Foundation is to promote and enhance higher educational opportunities for the Rome community. Specifically, the goal of the Foundation is to develop, advocate and offer a wide variety of college programs for all area residents. The Board of Trustees is committed to serving the community's needs for higher educational opportunities. As funds become available through grants, donations and bequests, the Foundation continues to expand its scholarship programs.

It is in the best interests of the business and professional community to build a better work force for the future by promoting improved educational opportunities for our local students. For example:

The Foundation awards $1000 scholarships to Rome area college students. These awards, called the Mid-Career Incentive Awards, are based on academic achievement, citizenship, and need. They are awarded to four students who qualify, one each from Utica College, SUNY Institute of Technology, Mohawk Valley Community College and Hamilton College.

Revere Copper Products, Inc. selected the Rome College Foundation to administer an endowment fund entitled the "Charles T. Beeching - Revere Copper Products, Inc. Family Scholarship" in the amount of $2000. It is awarded annually to a son or daughter of a Rome-based Revere employee, and is based on scholastic achievement, citizenship, & community activities.

The Foundation has donated funds to Mohawk Valley Community College toward laboratory equipment for the Rome Campus. It made a contribution to the Rome Teacher Center, formerly located on West Dominick Street, to help with classroom construction costs.

With a grant from the Sears Family Foundation, the Foundation co-sponsored the "Starting Out On The Right Foot" program, organized by the Chamber Education Committee. The program is designed for recent high school graduates. Topics include evaluating a rental agreement, financial survival, and evaluating job offers & benefits.

The Foundation has funded the tuition for guidance counselors at Rome Free Academy and Rome Catholic High School to attend the Summer Institute of New York State College Admissions Counselors at Skidmore College. Also, computer software has been donated to each school by the Foundation.

At the annual Student/Teacher Achievement Recognition (STAR) program, the Foundation recognizes students from the New York State School for the Deaf, RCH, and RFA, along with the educator each honoree feels has had the most significant influence on his or her life. Financial grants of $100 are presented to the students.

PAR Technology Corporation asked the Foundation to interview and select two qualified students from RFA and RCH to receive the PAR Technology Corporation Scholarship, in the amount of $3,150 per student. The recipients are attending local colleges, majoring in engineering, and currently working 20 hours per week (paid employment) at PAR and receiving professional training for local employment at PAR.

On behalf of the Rome Twigs, the Foundation awarded scholarships to four qualified students from RFA and RCH to receive the Twigs Scholarship in the amount of $200 per student. The scholarship was established and funded by the Twigs to honor the memory of their deceased members.

There are no administrative expenses connected with any of the scholarship programs. Staff services are provided by the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce at no cost to the Foundation. Additionally, the Foundation pays no dues or service charges to any national organization. Aside from specific corporate endowments, all contributions and bequests go entirely to fund scholarships for Rome students attending colleges and universities in this area and to grants for other educational purposes.

Contributions made payable to the Rome College Foundation, an IRS 501(c)(3) organization, are tax deductible to the extent provided by law; please consult your tax advisor.

The Board of Trustees meets monthly and continues to be a catalyst for higher education initiatives. For more information, call the Rome College Foundation at the Rome Chamber office, (315) 337-1700.

2002 Scholarship Recipients

2002 STAR Program Honorees