Presidential Scholarship Luncheon
Presidential Scholarship Luncheon is Sept. 24, 2025
The annual Presidential Scholarship Luncheon is an important way the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation and its philanthropic partners raise critically needed scholarship funds for students at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®).
This long-standing, premier event brings members of the community together to hear a dynamic keynote speaker and showcase Tri-C, its students and its mission. This event helps to expand essential resources for students to pursue their education. Since its inception in 1992, the event has raised $25 million to support student scholarships.
The Tri-C Foundation is honored to welcome Kenny Atkinson, the head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers, as this year's speaker for the Presidential Scholarship Luncheon, presented by PNC. Please join us on Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, to hear his inspirational story and vision for success and team building on the heels of leading the Cavs through one of their most successful seasons in franchise history.
This year's luncheon, benefiting student success and scholarships, will celebrate the resiliency of Tri-C students. The support of generous partners removes barriers to success, including food insecurity, housing and transportation — all daily concerns for many students. Your support helps to ensure that every student, in every program, in every ZIP code, can gain the skills to succeed and create a prosperous future for themselves, their families and our region.
Atkinson was named the 24th head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers on June 28, 2024. In the past year:
- He led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA's second-best record at 64-18, with the second-most wins in team history.
- The team surpassed last season's wins by 16 victories.
- The Cavs began the season with a franchise-best 15-0 record, breaking the previous mark of 8-0 set in 1976-1977.
- The team was the fourth in NBA history to start a season 15-0 and one of 28 teams in league history to win more than 64 games.
His postseason honors include:
- NBA Coach of the Year
- Pro Basketball Writers Association Coach of the Year
- National Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year
Don't miss your chance to hear from the 2025 NBA Coach of the Year!
Entrepreneur, Investor Daymond John is Headliner at 2024 Tri-C Presidential Scholarship Luncheon
2024 event raises scholarship money to help students pursue educational and entrepreneurial dreams
Entrepreneur, investor, author and CEO Daymond John wowed the crowd as he shared success stories and helped the Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) Foundation raise funds for students during its Presidential Scholarship Luncheon.
The Foundation's 2024 Presidential Scholarship Luncheon, presented by PNC Bank, raised more than $1 million in critical funds to help Tri-C students in need achieve their academic goals. John served as the keynote speaker and Tri-C President Michael A. Baston, J.D., Ed.D facilitated the dialogue with John, who is recognized as one of today’s leading keynote speakers.
In a surprise to close the event, John announced the winners of the Center for Entrepreneurs Pitch Competition, powered by PNC. The top three finishers were London Mitchell (owner of OneChance), Jeannette Logan-Lane (owner of Key Diversions, LLC), and Avrielle Eldemire (owner of Crown Me Pretty, LLC). The previously held competition showcased their businesses and pitched business ideas that will impact neighborhoods and fuel the local economy.
John also spent time with our students in a special session where they could hear his amazing story firsthand and ask questions.
Since inception in 1992, the luncheon has raised $25 million to help students with financial needs pursue higher education.
Thank you to the event's co-chair sponsors AT&T, A Taste of Excellence, Brewer-Garrett, Consolidated Solutions, Steve and Dana Demetriou, Keene Inc., the Lerner Foundation, Medical Mutual and Thompson Hine LLP.
Find more event coverage here.
Past Presidential Scholarship Luncheon Speakers:
Daymond John (2024)
Alex Rodriguez (2023)
Patricia Heaton (2022)
The Right Honourable Theresa May (2021)
Bill Walton (2019)
Robert M. Gates (2018)
Octavia Spencer (2017)
Ted Koppel (2016)
Earvin "Magic" Johnson (2015)
President George Bush (2014)
President Bill Clinton (2013)
Madeleine Albright (2012)
The Right Honourable Tony Blair (2011)
Condoleezza Rice (2010)
George Stephanopoulos (2009)
Bob Costas (2008)
General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) (2007)
Tom Brokaw (2006)
Tim Russert (2005)
Edward Norton (2004)
Peter B. Lewis (2003)
Oprah Winfrey (2002)
Sam Donaldson (2001)
Ed Bradley (2000)
Senator John Glenn (1999)
Cokie Roberts (1998)
Hank Aaron (1997)
Harry Belafonte (1996)
Maya Angelou (1995)
Mark McCormack (1994)
Robert Lewis (1992)