OWC Foundation Recognizes Donors For Fostering New College Programs

02/04/2005

NICEVILLE -- Recognizing its contributors for helping to foster new educational programs and endow more than two dozen new scholarships, the Okaloosa-Walton College Foundation celebrated its 17th year of service to the college by thanking donors at foundation's annual dinner and meeting.

In the annual report to the community, outgoing president Bobbi Pennington of TYBRIN Corp., said the foundation had contributed in excess of $2 million in direct support to the college this past year as O-W began its new surgical technology program and launched new bachelor degree programs. She added that individual and corporate gifts, together with matching funds, totaled $2.8 million, up by more than 70 percent over the previous fiscal year.

"While the year has been challenging in many ways, your contributions and your loyalty to this college have been demonstrated once again," said Pennington. "There is truly a dynamic educational environment at O-W that never stands still."

When the community needed nursing health programs, Pennington said, "O-W and its community partners delivered. When business and industry needed programs to attract and keep workers, O-W and its community partners delivered with bachelor degree programs. Our donors were right there with us each step of the way -- building something better."

Pennington noted the new partnership with Twin Cities Hospital which made a major gift to fund the surgical technology lab and has also agreed to serve as a clinical site for surgical technology students to gain clinical training in the hospital's operating rooms. She also commended the continued partnership with the Fort Walton Beach Medical Center for support of the college's Associate and Bachelor's degree Nursing programs.

Incoming foundation president Dale Rice Jr., of Crestview's First National Bank, urged the annual meeting audience in The Arts Center to "continue to be part of the Championship Team at O-W" because "the fund raising effort is not over. This is a high calling I hope we all buy into tonight. We must continue to assist the college in making lives better for all who attend."

Dr. James R, Richburg, president of OWC, lauded the foundation's efforts on behalf of the college's new bachelor's degree in project and acquisitions management. "This foundation turned to business and industry leaders, asked for their financial support and the companies stepped forward and continue to contribute to this vital new program," Richburg said.

While the college celebrated the opening of its new health studies building, expanded Sikes Center in Crestview and continued planning on the South Walton campus, Richburg said the college and foundation has and will remain firm in its "obligation to carry out the donor's intent" to fund a cultural and environmental institute named for the late Mattie Kelly of Destin, despite a year fraught with legal challenges by some of Kelly's heirs.

"Our course is sure and right," said Richburg. "We will not waiver. An institute in her name was Mattie's dream. We established that institute and, through proceeds from the sale of a portion of her estate property, we will make sure that it has the funding to fully carry forth all the goals set by the donor."

Richburg, in saluting the efforts of the many contributors in attendance, gave special recognition to Bill and Bobbi Pennington and the employees of TYBRIN for being selected the 2004 Florida Benefactor of the Year by the national Council for Resource Development. The defense company gained the honor for its employees continued support of a scholarship endowment program and TYBRIN's major gift for the bachelor's degree program. Also recognized was Mike Richards of DeFuniak Springs as the college's 2004-05 Distinguished Alumni award winner. "Our college could use a dozen TYBRINS and Mike Richards," said Richburg. "TYBRIN is a model corporate citizen and Mike is our go-to' guy in the community."

Rice, of First National Bank of Crestview, was elected president of the OWC Foundation board for 2005-2007, New officers include vice president Lori Kelly of O'Sullivan Creel CPA; secretary Gloria Frazier of ERA American Realty; and treasurer Wayne Campbell of Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. New directors elected to three-year terms are Freddy Carr of Destin Bank and Fred Thomas of Thomco Enterprises Fort Walton Beach.