Local government and business leaders gathered at Lake Washington Institute of Technology Tuesday morning for the LWTech Foundation’s annual Bright Futures Benefit Breakfast.
Nearly $114,000 was raised, according to Leslie Shattuck, public information officer at LWTech. The money will go toward student scholarships and the student emergency fund.
“In the end, we all benefit from the scholarships,” Neil Johnson, LWTech trustee, said, adding the college makes sure its programs are a match for what local businesses are looking for in potential employees.
In addition to a breakfast prepared by culinary arts and baking arts students and faculty, the event included remarks and video presentations from local business leaders and students who have received scholarships funded through previous benefit breakfast fundraisers.
“Each and every gift is a seed of growth,” Ambera Dedic, a recent LWTech graduate and scholarship recipient, told the sold-out crowd. She is now employed at Overlake Medical Center as a registered nurse.
In one of the videos presented to event attendees, student and scholarship recipient Stanley Arnold discussed how he and fellow former ITT Tech students were struggling to find a place to go after the school’s abrupt nationwide closure in September.
“It was pretty devastating,” he said, adding LWTech warmly greeted and accepted them into the school, where he was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship. “I hope to be in that position where I can give back someday, too.”
LWTech President Amy Morrison Goings said the school was able to accommodate 40 ITT Tech students. “We opened our doors very wide to those students,” she said.
Honoring McAuliffe
The leadership at LWTech also took the breakfast as an opportunity to award outgoing Washington State Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe with an honorary bachelor’s degree in public health. The degree was presented by Goings, who has known McAuliffe for 20 years.
“I have witnessed her tremendous commitment to her family and this community,” Going said, adding five of McAuliffe’s grandchildren have attended LWTech.
McAuliffe called it “a privilege and an honor” to receive this degree, adding she was proud to see how LWTech has grown over the years. She is currently on the LWTech Foundation Board of Directors, and Going praised her assistance in transitioning from Lake Washington Technical College to Lake Washington Institute of Technology.
“Her grace and support has carried on through the 20 years (I’ve known her),” Going said of McAuliffe.
For more information about the LWTech Foundation and the scholarship program, visit lwtech.edu/about/foundation.
Washington State Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe receives an honorary bachelor’s degree in public health from Lake Washington Institute of Technology President Amy Morrison Goings at the LWTech Foundation Bright Futures Benefit Breakfast. Submitted photo
