Middlesex Community College: MCC's “Scared Scriptless” Raises Funds For Student Scholarships

Press release from the Middlesex Community College:

Caitlin Buckley

6/15/2021

The shared mission of Middlesex Community College and the Middlesex Community College Foundation is to make education more affordable and accessible. The MCC Foundation’s Virtual Spring Fundraiser “Scared Scriptless” – featuring comedians Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood from “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” – was held in May 2021 during the college’s 50 year anniversary. All proceeds raised from the event went toward funds for student scholarships.

The Foundation worked with MCC’s office of Institutional Advancement, Spectacle Management, WeirdFish Productions, Erin McMahon Catering and the MCC Office of Marketing Communications to create the virtual event. Donors received “snacktivity boxes” with treats and activities to enjoy throughout the evening. Locally, MCC’s Advancement team partnered with restaurants to secure gift cards for sponsors to help support local businesses hit hard during the pandemic.

“Our Spring Fundraisers provide us with the opportunity to recognize some of MCC’s brilliant scholars,” said Dr. James C. Mabry, MCC’s President. “We all know that this has been a tough year and the pandemic has greatly impacted our students and their families, and their need for assistance has grown alarmingly. Middlesex strives to keep all of our students on their paths to success and with your support – and through our efforts – we can help our students fulfill their educational dreams.”

Presenting Sponsor of “Scared Scriptless” was The TJX Companies, Inc., who has supported MCC students and their success for over 20 years at MCC Foundation scholarship fundraising events. The Laurel & Hardy Sponsor for the event was Nancy Donahue whose generosity continues to make a difference in the lives of MCC students.

“Our donors and sponsors are critical to helping the Foundation provide educational access to the residents and employees of the Merrimack Valley,” said MCC Foundation Chairman Jim Henderson. “By supporting the MCC Foundation, they make a meaningful and long-lasting impact on the students we serve and help us prepare them for the future with the resources required to address the evolving needs of our students and the community. The generosity of our donors is humbling – and with continued support – we have the power to transform lives.”

Receiving a scholarship allowed Daniella Dankwa to cut down her work hours to a part-time schedule, giving her more time to focus on her academics. A full-time and a first generation MCC student, Dankwa believes the scholarship will have an impact on her life even after she graduates.

“This scholarship award is just a blessing,” she said. “I feel very welcome to be part of MCC and I feel very supported academically, personally and professionally because MCC provides a lot of resources for students, and making good use of these resources has helped me a lot in my academics. I feel like I have been given the opportunity to further my education to the next steps, and you have lessened my financial burden.”

Since 1988, 1,400 scholarships totaling almost $2 million have been awarded to Middlesex students. The MCC Foundation provides financial assistance; scholarships; grants for programs, equipment, abroad opportunities, entrepreneurship and technology; fundraising campaigns to renovate and build state-of-the-art facilities; and special events and activities.

In 2020, the MCC Foundation established the Student Emergency Appeal in direct response to the financial challenges students faced due to COVID-19. Donations included 572 gift cards totaling $20,350 to help MCC students afford the cost of groceries. An additional $10,000 was raised in support of the Emergency Fund to help students against food and housing insecurity.

“We were astounded with the response to our Student Emergency Appeal,” said Judy Burke, MCC’s Executive Director of Institutional Advancement. “We had new donors, returning donors, existing donors – all responding to our students’ need for assistance during these difficult times. It was beautiful. It was positivity in the face of all the negativity. People really wanted to help and this was a way to do it.”

The MCC Foundation also provides access to resources and finances that may not have been available to students in the past, according to Sherri McCormack, MCC’s Dean of Advancement. So far in 2021, over $200,000 has been raised to support new and existing scholarships.

“The Foundation has always welcomed equity, diversity and the notion that everyone is deserving of an education,” McCormack said. “It is a priority for the college to invite, engage and welcome students of color, and the Foundation is 100 percent behind the college in supporting students who need the help.”

Over the past 50 years, Middlesex has supported over 26,000 alumni on their paths to degrees, careers and personal and professional growth. The college’s free Alumni Association is a place for members to network and connect with each other, as well as to give back to Middlesex.

Juan Breton – who now works as MCC’s Financial Wellness Specialist – thrives from being a member of the Middlesex community, first as a student and now as an alum. Through his participation in the Alumni Association, he can give back to the college and students in the ways he was supported during his studies.

“Middlesex is a community of people who come together and want to make sure that we are helping each other,” he said. “Being part of a group that wants to move forward – not only in the community of Lowell or Bedford – but also those alumni who come back and share back. I really enjoy this community and I really enjoy being part of the Alumni Association because I get to make those connections again with people and students. I want to give back to the students things that were given back to me when I was a student.”

MCC is celebrating 50 years! If you have ever taken a class at MCC, you are an alum! To share your story – and join in on the 50th anniversary celebrations – contact Amy Lee, Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations, at 978-656-3028 or leea@middlesex.mass.edu.

The Fall 2021 scholarship application process is open. So far 15 awards totaling $24,820 have been awarded to students. Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/foundation/ for more information on scholarship and donation opportunities.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in online education for more than 20 years. We educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners, offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!

This press release was produced by the Middlesex Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.