Pictured, left to right: former CSCC Foundation Chair Gary Fuller, CSCC President Dr. Bill Seymour and new CSCC Foundation Chair Mike Griffin.
The Cleveland State Community College Foundation held its annual board meeting on Thursday where new changes were made for the upcoming year. The board’s mission is to raise funds for students that support student and academic success. Chair Gary Fuller has been leading the board in doing so for three years and now he passes the gavel to a new Chair.
Mr. Fuller is thankful for the opportunity to work on the board and serve as chair since 2018.
“It’s been great working with you all, and I appreciate you all making this journey with me for the last three years,” he said.
Mr.
Fuller and his wife, Pat, were awarded the Community First Award for Philanthropy in 2019. They’re known for having a personal hand in supporting many causes such as the Boys and Girls Club, United Way and the Ca-Ira Children’s Village in Haiti. During the meeting, CSCC President Dr. Bill Seymour, recognized Mr. Fuller with the Leadership Appreciation Award for his dedication to serving the community and the college’s Foundation.
“Gary is a true servant leader,” said Dr. Seymour. “The recent success of Cleveland State has much to do with the relationship with our Foundation. Gary’s leadership took us from our most successful capital campaign, to the first new buildings on our campuses in 46 years, and through a worldwide pandemic.”
As Mr. Fuller is ending his term as chair, the board has approved Mike Griffin as the new chair to begin July 1, 2021. Mr. Griffin has served on the foundation board since 2016. Mr. Griffin serves the community as the president and CEO of the Cleveland Bradley Chamber of Commerce. He also serves in the leadership role of the Rotary Club of Cleveland.
Mr. Griffin said, “I’ve committed myself to chair for the next two or three years, depending on how long they want to keep me. However, I plan on committing seriously to this job and I’m really excited about it.”
Dr. Seymour and other members of the board agreed that Mr. Griffin will continue to be a great leader for the foundation.
Dr. Seymour continued, “We continue a pattern of strong leadership with Mike Griffin as our new foundation board chair. I don’t know of anyone with more experience leading non-profit and civic organizations in our region. He is well known and brings instant respect to the foundation and the College.”
The foundation board also welcomed a new board member, Margaret Schenck, who was elected at the meeting. The 26-member board was established in 1971 as a separate
not-for-profit entity. As a result of fundraising efforts, the foundation has awarded over $6.3 million in scholarships to over 7,500 students.