Success of CState Accelerate & College’s 50th anniversary campaign gained media attention
Following the PBS NewsHour coverage of the CState Accelerate program and its success in helping students stay on track and graduate, several local media outlets reported on the College’s 50th anniversary fundraising campaign, which included raising $3.5 million to support the re-launch of CState Accelerate.
The Cincinnati Business Courier, The Cincinnati Herald, WLW radio and WKRC Local 12 TV reported on the campaign that kicked off in 2018 and ended in 2022. Despite challenges of the pandemic, the multi-year campaign exceeded its goal of $15 million and generated a record $21 million for scholarships, student support, new programs, and up-to-date equipment for the College through private donations and public dollars.
The campaign’s achievements included 100% giving participation from the members of Cincinnati State’s Board of Trustees, Foundation Board, and Alumni Board.
Campaign leadership, in addition to President Monica Posey, included Trustees George Vincent and Mark Walton ‘78, and Foundation Board leaders Mike Haunert and Barbara Turner.
President Posey thanked everyone who participated in the 50th anniversary campaign, saying, “Cincinnati State greatly appreciates the generosity of its boards, lead donor Fifth Third Bank, as well Procter & Gamble, Ohio National, and all the other individuals, foundations and companies that supported our 50th anniversary campaign and the CState Accelerate program.”
Cincinnati State Chief of Institutional Advancement and Foundation Executive Director Elliott Ruther added, “We also want to recognize Senator Sherrod Brown whose leadership, with the support of Congress, provided $500K for the CState Accelerate program. We also appreciate his leadership in efforts to address public policy and funding to support all Pell-eligible students with CState Accelerate-type programs.”
Ruther said the College is in the “quiet phase” of the next multi-year comprehensive fundraising campaign, which will focus on increasing the College’s ability to meet increased workforce needs in health, aviation maintenance, and other essential industries. The new campaign also will support a variety of student needs with scholarships, emergency funds, and support services, including extending CState Accelerate.