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  • Tri-C Foundation Presidential Scholarship Luncheon Raises $1.1 Million

Tri-C Foundation Presidential Scholarship Luncheon Raises $1.1 Million

MLB legend, business mogul Alex Rodriguez headlines event to benefit students

Michael Baston, left, and Alex Rodriguez
Michael A. Baston, left, with Alex Rodriguez.

Baseball legend, World Series champion and CEO Alex Rodriguez shared stories of perseverance as he helped the Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) Foundation raise funds for students during its Presidential Scholarship Luncheon.

The Foundation’s 2023 Presidential Scholarship Luncheon raised $1.1 million in critical funds to help Tri-C students in need achieve their academic goals.

The luncheon, presented by PNC Bank, took place Sept. 27 at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel on Public Square. Rodriguez served as keynote speaker.

Since its inception in 1992, the Presidential Scholarship Luncheon has raised more than $24 million to help students with financial needs pursue higher education.

“The Presidential Scholarship Luncheon is a terrific opportunity for all of us to help students reach for the stars and provide a stronger foundation for the region’s future,” said Pat Pastore, PNC regional president for Cleveland and chairperson of the Tri-C Foundation. “We are grateful for our supporters who invest in Tri-C students and provide access to transformative education opportunities.”

Tri-C President Emeritus Jerry Sue Thornton, whose foresight and dedication to student success set the stage for the Presidential Scholarship Luncheon, was honored at the event and was presented the inaugural Presidential Legacy Award. The award commemorates the 60th anniversary of the College and the 50th anniversary of the Tri-C Foundation. The Presidential Scholarship Luncheon stemmed from Thornton’s desire to raise scholarship funds as part of her inauguration festivities.

“Dr. Thornton’s foresight and dedication to student scholarships paved the way for the success of the Presidential Scholarship Luncheon,” said Michael A. Baston, Tri-C president. “This event has become the cornerstone of our efforts to expand the resources available to Tri-C students.”

Rodriguez is the latest in a list of distinguished speakers headlining the event, joining fellow athletes Bill Walton (2019), Earvin “Magic” Johnson (2015) and Hank Aaron (1997). Past U.S. Presidents George W. Bush (2014) and Bill Clinton (2013), and entertainers Oprah Winfrey (2002), and Harry Belafonte (1996) have also headlined.

Rodriguez is best known for his accolades as a 14-time MLB All-Star and winning the 2009 World Series with the New York Yankees. During his 25-year playing career, he hit 696 home runs and more grand slams than any other MLB player in history.

He is the chair and CEO of A-Rod Corp, a broad-based investment firm that provides capital for world-class startups and partners in the real estate, health and wellness, technology, and sports and entertainment industries.

In 2021, Rodriguez joined the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx ownership group. He is also an Emmy Award-winning MLB analyst for Fox Sports and ESPN, has been an investor on ABC’s Shark Tank, mentored financially distressed ex-athletes on CNBC’s Back in the Game and co-hosts The Corp podcast with Dan Katz of Barstool Sports.

The event’s co-chair sponsors included AT&T, A Taste of Excellence, Brewer-Garrett, Consolidated Solutions, Cuyahoga County Workforce Funders Group, Steve and Dana Demetriou, The Sam J. Frankino Foundation, Keene, Inc., The Lerner Foundation, Medical Mutual, Minutemen Family of Companies, and Thompson Hine LLP.

September 28, 2023

MEDIA CONTACT: Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu

© 2025 Cuyahoga Community College
700 Carnegie Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115

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