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Donors Celebrate Leadership, Legacy of Alex Johnson

$1 million raised toward endowment for student access, equity and success

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C^®) and the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation celebrated the leadership of President Alex Johnson at a gala in his honor Thursday, June 24, 2022. The event, co-chaired by Richard A. Chiricosta, Darrell L. McNair, Beth E. Mooney, and Margaret W. Wong, launched an endowment bearing Johnson’s name that will benefit future generations of students.

The Dr. Alex Johnson Access, Equity and Success Fund will expand the Tri-C Foundation’s capacity to provide short-term solutions for expenses — such as housing, food, technology and books — that often overwhelm students and disrupt their education. The event included an announcement that $1 million had been raised for the fund through the generosity of those who attended the gala.

Medical Mutual honored for expanded Western Campus food pantry

Food insecurity is among Tri-C students’ leading concerns. Hungry students have a new resource at Tri-C Western Campus, thanks to continued support from Medical Mutual. A ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 29 marked the expansion of The Pantry: A Tri-C Connect Initiative located on the lower level of the Student Services Building on the Parma campus. It will provide eligible students with food, toiletries and other basic necessities. Medical Mutual pledged a $1 million gift to the Tri-C Foundation in May 2021. The funding also will establish the Medical Mutual Workforce Training Endowed Scholarship and the Medical Mutual Student Response Endowment Fund.

The dedication ceremony featured remarks from (from left) College President Alex Johnson, Campus President Lisa Williams, Medical Mutual vice president and Tri-C Foundation Board member Andrea Hogben, Vice President, Western Campus Student Government Laryssa Maruski, Medical Mutual Chairman and Tri-C Foundation Director Emeritus Rick Chiricosta, and Tri-C Foundation President Megan O’Bryan. Learn more here.

Legacy of a caring spirit supports Tri-C students

Betty Palfy quietly passed away in 2020 at age 88, leaving no hint of the significant bequest made to the Tri-C Foundation as part of her estate. The Norwalk native worked as a teacher and lab technician before joining the Peace Corps in 1975. After a lifetime of global and local work as a medical missionary, you could find her ringing the bell for the Salvation Army, stocking shelves at Berea’s hunger center, helping with library book sales or playing bingo with seniors. 

It is our privilege and honor to steward her support so that students who benefit from her generosity are inspired to succeed in their own dreams. Learn more about her caring spirit. 

Your Impact

Tri-C is a driving force for the economic prosperity and future of our region. Your support for student success through the Tri-C Foundation is an investment toward a thriving Northeast Ohio now and for years to come.

Did you know.... 49% of Tri-C’s student population is eligible for the Pell Grant, indicating high economic need. Even through Cuyahoga Community College is the most affordable institution in the state of Ohio, without scholarship support, many students would not be able to afford the cost of tuition. 

Students earning degrees and credentials from Tri-C can move themselves and their families from poverty to prosperity.

Office of Resource Development and Tri-C Foundation

Cuyahoga Community College Foundation is a separate 501c(3) organization established in 1973. The mission of the Tri-C Foundation is to provide resources for advancing student success at Cuyahoga Community College and to transform the lives of those Tri-C serves. The vision is to ensure Tri-C has the resources needed to help every student learn, thrive and succeed and to create a prosperous community for all.