CNCC’s big picture: School outlines goals for its major gifts program

RANGELY — Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) recently outlined its goals for its Community Partners Building Futures major gifts campaign.
These goals represent a phased vision for expansion of the college throughout its service area (see graph).
CNCC’s vision will be implemented in phases, depending upon the availability of state funding and financial support from the private sector from the community in which it serves. Campaign goals include the Craig campus build-out, new and renovated buildings on the Rangely campus, program expansions in both Craig and Rangely, plus increased service center support in the communities of Hayden, Meeker and South Routt.
“State funding toward the design and construction of an academic building on the Craig campus will total more than $21 million and will significantly move this long-awaited project forward,”said John Boyd, president of CNCC. “Nonetheless, our campaign focus in Craig right now is to build upon this momentum in order to generate an additional $3 million from the private sector for a career and technical center as part of the Craig campus build-out.”
President Boyd emphasized that, although needed residence halls and an automotive technology center are also envisioned in Craig, “Our campaign focus must be the funding of a career and technical center. This was the No. 1 priority of community leaders in Craig, according to the feasibility study conducted last year in Craig and throughout the greater CNCC service areas, and it’s needed now more than ever.”
In Rangely, $4 million in private sector support will be necessary to complete essential projects, including the construction of a new wellness center and renovations to the Striegel Engineering Center and the Rector Science and Math Center, as well as equipment and further program development.
In all, CNCC is seeking private sector campaign investments of $8.3 million from corporations, foundations and community members.
“Having now nearly completed the family phase of the campaign, I’m very happy to report on the generosity of our community with 99 percent of the CNCC faculty and staff pledging their own financial support toward campaign initiatives,” Boyd said. “In addition, a total of $3 million was raised from our boards, including the Rangely Junior College District Board of Trustees and Moffat County Affiliated Junior College District Board of Control. An additional $1 million has come from CNCC foundation board member, Bud Striegel, the largest private investment in CNCC history.”
Boyd stated that he was optimistic about private investing despite uncertain economic times, as few causes have a more compelling case than the community’s college. He added, “If America is to remain competitive and enjoy a significant quality of life, our community colleges must have the resources required to train and upgrade the workforce of tomorrow.”
Boyd explained that the college must move forward to accomplish its commitment to promote workforce and economic growth in the region, and that “strategic partnerships with business and industry will be necessary if we are to realize our goals. Our college must be prepared to provide relevant, state-of-the-art, educational resources to fill new positions, as well as vacancies left by retiring professionals. At CNCC, we know that when we change people’s lives, we change communities for the better.”