Parkhursts receive national community college award

State Fair Community College benefactors Richard and Judy Parkhurst were honored Nov. 13 in Washington, D.C., for their long-standing commitment, service and gifts to the college.

The Parkhursts received one of 10 national Community College Benefactor Awards given by the Council for Resource Development (CRD), an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges. Awards were presented at a banquet during the council’s 43^rd annual conference.

SFCC President Dr. Marsha Drennon said the Parkhursts were honored for their leadership in fundraising campaigns and their ongoing confidence in the value of SFCC’s mission.

“Judy is a member of the SFCC Foundation and a trustee of the college,” said Dr. Drennon. “Over the years the Parkhursts have given gifts to support technology, construction, publications, sculpture acquisition, and allied health programming development. As local entrepreneurs, they subsidized their employees’ tuition, and, as parents, sent four of their five children to SFCC. They even provided space in their warehouse for SFCC classes in the early days.”

The 10 award recipients were selected from 75 nominations across the country. Collectively, they have given or facilitated gifts totaling more than $34 million to community colleges in the United States and are transforming lives and communities, said CRD President Judy Everett.

Mrs. Parkhurst said she always has believed in using what they have to help where they can.

“"For those who have been provided a great deal, along with that comes responsibility," she said.

Supporting the college was an easy decision, added Richard Parkhurst.

“When we give to SFCC, we’re not just building buildings, we’re building lives,” he said.

The Parkhursts, Dr. Drennon, and Jackie Almquist, executive director of the SFCC Foundation, presented a conference session on “Building on the Past, Constructing the Future.” The Parkhursts’ son David and his wife Stephanie also attended the gala and awards ceremony.

The annual awards are CRD’s way of expressing deep gratitude to the most extraordinary supporters of community colleges, said Polly Binns, CRD executive director.

“These awards showcase the exceptional generosity and strong commitments of some of the leading benefactors in the country,” she said. “These outstanding individuals and businesses have made a huge difference for our colleges and the lives of the students.”

The CRD represents more than 1,500 community college resource development officers at more than 700 two-year colleges.

Seated, from left, Sedalians Judy and Richard Parkhurst, who received a national Community College Benefactor Award Nov. 13 in Washington, D.C., for their commitment and service to State Fair Community College. Standing is SFCC President Dr. Marsha Drennon. The Council for Resource Development gave the award.