Presidential Scholarship Luncheon

Annual Luncheon Is Premier Scholarship Event

The annual Presidential Scholarship Luncheon is an important way the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation and its philanthropic partners raise critically needed scholarship funds for Tri-C students.

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.

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)