TCC receives $100K for UW Tacoma scholarships

Tacoma Community College recently announced it has received a $100,000 matching grant to fund scholarships for TCC students who transfer to UW Tacoma.

The Hites Family Community College Scholarship Foundation in St. Louis, Missouri, made the gift to the TCC Foundation after local businesses and individuals, led by TCC supporters John and Patricia Lantz, raised the initial $50,000. Contributors include KeyBank, Columbia Bank, an anonymous donor and private individuals. The $150,000 total will endow the Hites Family Community College Scholarship for Continued Study at the University of Washington Tacoma.

More than 40 percent of TCC students and approximately 60 percent of UW Tacoma students qualify for financial aid.

TCC President Pamela Transue said, "I am proud of the ways that we at TCC and our community partners come together to meet the needs of this community.

"Particularly in these tough economic times, it is gratifying to know that our community understands the important role community colleges play in our continued economic recovery."

Patricia Spakes, chancellor of UW Tacoma, said, "The scholarship endowment will provide tremendous benefit to students who attend TCC, then transfer to UW Tacoma, as hundreds do each year."

"Our colleges have a strong track record of working together to expand educational opportunities in our region."