Tri-C Awards Honorary Degree to Betty Rosskamm

College recognizes contributions of civic and business leader at Fall Commencement

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) has awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Betty Rosskamm to recognize her commitment to Tri-C, its students and the community.

Rosskamm — one of Northeast Ohio’s most esteemed civic and business leaders — received the honorary degree during the College’s Fall Commencement on Thursday, Dec. 17.

A generous philanthropist, Rosskamm and her family have changed countless lives though their support of the College. Their generosity created the Betty Rosskamm Nursing Scholarship Fund at Tri-C in 2012.

“The contributions of Mrs. Rosskamm have made a lasting impact on the College’s legacy of accessible nursing education and the future quality of healthcare in our region,” said Alex Johnson, Tri-C president.

Rosskamm and her late husband, Martin, grew one small fabric store into Jo-Ann Stores, the nation’s leading fabric and crafts retailer. She was a leader in the company for 63 years and watched it grow to more than 850 stores.

She said she created the Betty Rosskamm Scholarship Fund to show her admiration for the College’s mission.

December 18, 2015

John Horton, 216-987-4281 john.horton@tri-c.edu