Tri-C Foundation Honors Kevin S. Thomas for Distinguished Service
College advocate receives 2026 Heath Oliver Distinguished Director Award
CLEVELAND — The Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) Foundation board of directors awarded its 2026 Heath Oliver Distinguished Director Award to Kevin S. Thomas during the nonprofit organization's annual meeting in June.
Thomas is a partner with PwC and joined the Foundation board in 2013. His Tri-C ties date from the 1970s, when his father-in-law was president of the Western Campus.
The Chagrin Falls resident has been active on several committees, beginning with the Executive Committee since 2014. He has served as the Finance Committee chair since 2022 and as the Audit Committee chair from 2014–2021. The Foundation received clean audits every year during his tenure as the Audit Committee chair and every year since.
As the Finance Committee chair, the Foundation's endowment has grown from $87 million to over $126 million — one of the largest community college endowments, according to the National Association of College and University Business Officers.
"The Tri-C Foundation is financially well-positioned, strong and stable, thanks to Kevin's leadership and committee stewardship," said Howard Lewis, board chairperson. "These funds are essential to the Tri-C Foundation's ability to support students and invest in innovative, essential programs."
Thanks to his advocacy and involvement, PwC has been a steady and generous supporter of the Presidential Scholarship Luncheon, the Foundation's signature event that annually raises about $1 million to provide financial assistance to Tri-C students.
"His thoughtful questions and steady leadership have helped guide the finances and financial practices of the Foundation and supported its staff in carrying out its mission to advance student success," said Megan O'Bryan, Tri-C Foundation president. "His expertise, dedication and integrity have enabled the Foundation to grow and thrive."
The Heath Oliver Distinguished Director Award was established in memory of Heath Oliver, a longtime Foundation board director and president of Bardons & Oliver. He was a member of the Foundation board from 1988 until his death in 2009. Under his leadership, scholarships for Tri-C students became a fundraising priority. The Foundation successfully launched its first major gifts campaign, and Presidential Scholarship Luncheons raised significant dollars to benefit students.
June 22, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu