Clark College News and Events

Graphic–Clark College News and Events

Clark College News and Events


October 17, 2008
For Immediate Release
For additional information: 
Barbara Kerr, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing
Telephone:
360-992-2921
E-mail:  bkerr@clark.edu

SUPPORTING A CULTURE OF PHILANTHROPY
IN SUPPORT OF STUDENT SUCCESS

 

Shirley Schwartz, Scholarship Program Manager
for the Clark College Foundation,
is a Vancouver Business Journal
2008 “Accomplished & Under 40” honoree

 

Clark College Foundation Scholarship Program Manager Shirley SchwartzVANCOUVER, Wash. – Shirley Schwartz, Scholarship Program Manager for the Clark College Foundation has been named a 2008 “Accomplished & Under 40” honoree by the Vancouver Business Journal.  The “Accomplished & Under 40” awards will be presented during a luncheon at the Hilton Vancouver Conference Center on Nov. 4.

As Scholarship Program Manager, Schwartz, who joined the Clark College Foundation in 1999, has responsibilities including overseeing all aspects of the Foundation’s expanding scholarship program including writing agreements to confirm donor wishes, creating application processes for scholarships, and awarding scholarships to students through committee efforts.  Her duties also include scholarship distributions of over amounts over $500,000 as well as planning the annual scholarship reception to introduce scholarship recipients to donors and providing information to donors about students. 

Her work experience at the Clark College Foundation also includes serving as Special Projects Manager.  Prior to joining the Clark College Foundation, Schwartz was a loan coordinator at Lee University in Cleveland, Tenn. 

A resident of Vancouver, Schwartz earned a bachelor of arts degree at West Coast Christian College in Fresno, Calif.  She is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Multnomah University in Portland.

Her volunteer efforts include leading efforts to establish a scholarship program at Life Change Christian Center in Portland.  Schwartz chaired the committee which established an application and distribution process for church members who are working on any degree, any major, and attending any accredited college.  As a result of the work done by Schwartz and the committee, the church was able to provide three scholarships in 2008. 

About Shirley Schwartz

As Scholarship Program Manager for the Clark College Foundation, Shirley Schwartz has been described as the “gateway to student success at Clark College.”  She oversees every aspect of the scholarship program for the foundation.  Schwartz interacts with hundreds of students every year while managing dozens of relationships with individual and organizational donors who support scholarships at Clark College.  She also coordinates the activities of the faculty and staff in tandem with the scholarship process while preparing the materials for the foundation’s Scholarship Committee.  In addition, she orchestrates advertising the scholarships, receiving and collating the materials, awarding of the scholarships, and examining the appropriate use of the funds by the students.

Clark College President Robert K. Knight said, “Shirley Schwartz brings our mission to life every day.  She is passionately committed to providing financial support for our students and our college.  This honor is a wonderful recognition of her talents and her contributions to Clark College and our community.”

Lisa Gibert, President and CEO of the Clark College Foundation, said “The Clark College Foundation is very fortunate to have Shirley Schwartz facilitating its scholarship program.  She believes in helping students obtain the resources they need and delights in satisfying the goals expressed by donors.” 

In nominating Shirley Schwartz for the Accomplished & Under 40 award, one person wrote, “In a position that necessitates so much attention to detail and such great responsibility, she also maintains a great sense of humor and is always polite, collegial, helpful, and professional.  Shirley’s expertise in scholarship management has contributed to her community involvement in several organizations and various capacities where she has helped them with establishing and/or fine-tuning their scholarship processes.”

Another nominator said, “Focused on student success, she has dedicated her entire professional career thus far to the creation of opportunities that endorse education for residents of our community.  In doing so, she interacts with individuals, corporations, and organizations to meet their philanthropic needs while acutely serving the needs of our diverse student population.” 

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