St. Petersburg College Celebrates Generosity Of Donors

From St. Petersburg College:

May 24, 2021

St. Petersburg College celebrated a generous donation from the Patrick Brett Foundation on Thursday, May 20, at the SPC Midtown Center Community Room.

The Patrick Brett Foundation donated $100,000 to SPC to provide students the opportunity for a second chance through the Fresh Start Scholarship. This donation matches a similar $100,000 donation given to SPC in 2020. Terry and Kim Brett created the foundation in 2016 in memory of their son Patrick, who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2005.

“The Patrick Brett Foundation believes in investing in others, even people they don’t know,” SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams said. “I am so proud and thankful to the young people who started it, and I am most grateful to the parents of Patrick Brett who are allowing us to remember Patrick for his love for people and for helping them to succeed.”

The Patrick Brett Foundation believes in second chances and the only requirement is – keep going!

After facing many hardships, SPC student Danielle Steward decided to reenroll in college in 2017 to pursue her dreams. One of her professors encouraged her to apply for scholarships through the SPC Foundation to ease some of her worries.

“I poured my heart into my essay but what I didn’t expect was for someone to hear me. The Brett family heard me,” Steward said. “The next semester I was awarded the Patrick Brett Foundation Scholarship and I got a fresh start.”

Since receiving the scholarship, Steward has earned her Associate in Arts degree and is working to earn her Bachelor of Science in Biology, with the hopes of becoming a dermatologist. One day she hopes to return the favor to other students and be to them what the Brett family has been for her.

“It’s so meaningful to wake up every day to know that you’re going to be a part of changing someone’s life,” said Jesse Turtle, SPC’s Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Executive Director of Foundation. “The Patrick Brett Foundation and family has been a part of this community for so long and it has been an honor to work with them and be included in this successful endeavor.”

“I want to thank the SPC Foundation for the great stewardship they’ve provided. Also, to our corporate and individual sponsors, thank you for believing in our vision,” Terry Brett said.

Over the years, the Patrick Brett Foundation has donated more than $375,000 to SPC in support of scholarships for individuals like Linda Johnson. Johnson was the Brett Foundation’s first scholarship recipient to graduate. She earned a Bachelor’s of Applied Science Management and Organizational Leadership degree from SPC in 2018. She decided to go back to school to gain a competitive edge in the workforce and be a role model for her daughter.

“I wanted a degree to ensure my future was stable,” Johnson said. “I’m very thankful to the Patrick Brett Foundation for giving me the opportunity for a fresh start.” Johnson is currently employed at Raymond James Financial in the Information Technology Department and feels her employer has already seen a change in her. “This (opportunity) will help me advance in my career. I’m a lot stronger and confident, and people see that” she said.

This press release was produced by the St Petersburg College News. The views expressed are the author's own.