1. 23rd Annual WCC Foundation Jerry Jernigan Memorial
Golf Outing
ACCESSSUCCESSINNOVATION
Student Center Building, Suite 306
4800 East Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-4800
734-973-3665 phone I 734-677-5406 fax
wccnet.edu/foundation
“Hypocrite.”
That’s the harsh word that came to Beth
Feldkamp’s mind one day, six years ago,
as she was telling her three daughters
how critical education was. Having never
graduated from high school, Beth realized
it wasn’t right to ask her daughters to
do something she had not been able to
accomplish herself.
Many people would probably have silenced
their inner voice and looked away. Beth
didn’t. Instead, she chose to face the issue.
“I had a difficult childhood and the
importance of education was not preached
to me,” she said. “I needed to make a
change. I knew that it was important not
only for myself, but for my daughters that
I return to school and earn my GED.”
She made this decision at a difficult time
in her life. On the verge of turning 30,
the single mom had just lost her job after
working at the same company for a decade.
The mistake she made as a teenager—
dropping out of high school—was coming
back to haunt her. “Undereducated and
now unemployed, I felt hopeless, and out of
options,” Beth said.
Taking the bull by the horns, she went back
to school at Washtenaw Community College
where she received support from both
the WCC Adult Transitions - GED Plus
program and the WCC Foundation.
“The Foundation made it possible for me
to remain a full-time student while working
part time and raising my daughters,” she said.
“The continued support through the aid
of scholarships relieved much personal and
academic stress during my time at WCC.”
Beth didn’t stop there. Right after obtaining
her GED, she started taking classes at WCC,
and, soon enough, transferred to Eastern
Michigan University. There, she earned her
bachelor’s degree and became her family’s
first-generation college graduate. She then
attended the University of Michigan, and,
last month, obtained a master’s degree in
macro social work. Although she plans on
becoming a social worker, Beth’s educational
journey isn’t quite over: she is now planning
on getting a PhD.
As the old saying goes: “Actions speak louder
than words.” Now, Beth has set the example
for her daughters. “College is part of our
household now,” she said. “My daughters all
plan on going to college and they are excited
about it! Your kids see what you do and you
become their role model.”
To this day, Beth is thankful for the
Foundation’s support. “I have encountered
many barriers throughout my journey. But
the biggest challenge was financial. I am
really thankful for the long-lasting impact
that the contribution of the Foundation’s
donors has had on both my life and the lives
of my daughters. I would not have been as
successful without their help.”
Every year, the WCC Foundation helps
students like Beth by giving them the
opportunity to access education. If you
would like to be part of our donor family
and make a change in a student’s life,
please call 734-973-3665 or go to
wccnet.edu/foundation/give.
by Mélanie DelVecchio
Do as I do
Scholarship allows a mother to set an example for her daughters
The WCC Foundation
Beth at her graduation ceremony with her
daughters Maya, Madison and Marissa.
Join the Alumni Association today:wccnet.edu/alumni
Helicopter Ball Drop – only 1000 Sold
Ticket Price $20 each or 3 for $50
50/50 Raffle
Ticket Price $10 each or 3 for $20
Raffle Drawings at golf outing at 7pm
To RSVP of for more info, call
Golf Outing Raffles
2 Year Lease on a
Chevy Cruze
$4000
in
CASH
OR
Help our students, play, sponsor, or just come
for dinner and auction
Monday, August 15, 2016
Fox Hills
Golf & Banquet Center
734-973-3665
Photos by Jessica Bibbee