The Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) today officially began the public phase of its Imagine & Achieve Campaign.
The goal is to fund college-wide program and infrastructure initiatives, including the construction of the new K. Leroy Irvis Science Center, which is now underway at the CCAC-Allegheny Campus.
The campaign, which began in June 2009, surpassed its original goal of $30 million in private sector donations and has now revised the total goal to $40 million.
According to CCAC President Alex Johnson, one of the biggest financial supporters of the campaign was the Richard King Mellon Foundation.
"The three million dollar gift from them was historic for us," said Johnson. "And, of course, they've given us additional money for specialized programs and studies related to career and technical educations in the region."
Other key contributors include:
- Highmark, which has already given $1.5 million and is set to donate another half million
- PNC, which has so far contributed $657,000.
In addition, Allegheny County provided a $5 million grant toward the Irvis Science Center.
Johnson said CCAC is in the process of transforming education. He said that people must understand that individuals need to enter the workforce with technical skills.
"Those are the jobs now that pay the quality wages and family sustaining income, so that is our responsibility," Johnson said.
