Lakeshore College Foundation celebrates 50th anniversary, launches ‘$50 for 50 Years’ campaign

The Lakeshore College Foundation is celebrating 50 years of transforming the lives of students through education, workforce development, and community investment. Since its inception, the Foundation has assisted students in overcoming financial barriers, pursuing rewarding careers, and building stronger futures for themselves and their families.

To commemorate the milestone and continue the Foundation’s impact for future generations, the Foundation has launched its “$50 for 50 Years” campaign, inviting alumni, donors, community members, faculty, staff, and friends of the College to honor five decades of student success with a gift of $50, or any amount that is meaningful to them.

Since its founding in 1976, the Lakeshore College Foundation has helped thousands of students pursue higher education and build rewarding careers by providing scholarships, emergency financial assistance, and funding for programs that enhance student success. Those investments have not only changed individual lives but also strengthened the regional workforce and the communities Lakeshore College serves.

“For 50 years, the generosity of our donors has opened doors for Lakeshore students,” said Courtney Phillippi, executive director of the Lakeshore College Foundation. “Every scholarship, emergency grant, and opportunity created started with someone choosing to invest in a student’s future. As we celebrate this milestone, we’re inviting our community to help us build the next 50 years of impact.”

For Anja Verce, a Lakeshore Nursing Assistant student, scholarship support has provided more than financial relief. It has reinforced her belief that her community is invested in her success.

“This scholarship is more than financial help for me—it’s encouragement that keeps me motivated to keep going and do my best. Knowing that my community believes in me means a lot and makes me even more determined to give back through my future work in healthcare,” she shared.

Scholarships help remove financial barriers to education, emergency assistance enables students to stay enrolled during unexpected hardships, and Foundation-funded initiatives strengthen the programs that prepare graduates to meet the evolving workforce needs of local employers.

Gifts to the $50 for 50 Years campaign will ensure future Lakeshore students have access to the financial support and educational opportunities they need to persist, graduate, and enter the workforce. Donations directly fund scholarships, emergency assistance, and educational initiatives that empower students while contributing to the long-term economic vitality of the region.

To celebrate 50 years of student impact with the Lakeshore College Foundation by making a one-time or recurring gift to the $50 for 50 Years campaign, visit lakeshore.edu/foundation50.