MCC Salutes ESL
November 11, 2022
Event recognizes organization for creating opportunities for former students to achieve a credential, honors Dr. Alice Holloway Young for 60 years of dedication
ESL is recipient of the MCC Foundation’s 2022 Salute to Excellence award. From left: Gretchen Wood, MCC Foundation executive director; Faheem Masood, ESL Federal Credit Union president and CEO; Allen Williams, MCC Board of Trustees chair; MCC President DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna; and Maureen Wolfe, ESL Federal Credit Union executive vice president of human resources and community impact.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Represented by ESL Federal Credit Union President and CEO Faheem Masood, ESL was honored as recipient of Monroe Community College Foundation’s 2022 Salute to Excellence award on Thursday evening in recognition of its philanthropic support of local residents seeking to return to school to achieve a high school diploma and/or a college credential and of the hundreds of Rochester-area children and teens who participate in the annual Be A Healthy Hero Summer Camp. The award presentation took place before an audience of more than 300 business and community leaders in the Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center.
ESL’s cumulative $5 million investment in MCC students over the years has touched all aspects of the college. ESL’s gifts provide scholarships and support innovative programs, such as Pathway to MCC and the Finish Strong Scholarship, helping residents enroll and complete their studies at MCC by removing financial and personal barriers. Its generosity also helps launch accelerated training programs that prepare individuals to immediately begin in-demand careers upon graduation. Additionally, as presenting sponsor of the annual MCC Scholars’ Day for more than five years, ESL has helped make it possible for MCC students to win scholarships for their original research and creative works and for MCC to bring distinguished visiting scholars to campus. Some of Rochester’s youngest learners first experience ESL’s generosity at the five-week Be A Healthy Hero Summer Camp, hosted each year at MCC’s Brighton Campus for children in grades K-5 to gain a healthy, safe and fun summer experience while building skills and positive behaviors.
Dr. Alice Holloway Young, founding trustee of MCC and board chair emerita, is recipient of the 2022 Salute to Volunteerism award.
The Salute to Volunteerism award was presented to Dr. Alice Holloway Young, founding trustee of MCC and board chair emerita, in recognition of her enduring service, dedication and philanthropy to the college. This year’s Salute to Excellence event coincides with the celebration of the 60th anniversary of MCC opening its doors.
“MCC and the MCC Foundation continuously do phenomenal work supporting the education and career development of students throughout our community,” said Faheem Masood, ESL Federal Credit Union president and CEO. “From Be a Healthy Hero Summer Camp, to the MCC Scholars Program, to the Inspiring Start and Finish Strong Program, to many more programs the college offers, ESL supports MCC and the MCC Foundation because the positive impact they have on our community is immense and far-reaching. Students, their families, their neighbors, our local employers and our larger community are all stronger because of the opportunities created through a high-quality education at MCC.”
Lori Van Dusen, chairman, founding principal and chief executive officer of LVW Advisors and chair of the MCC Foundation Board of Directors, said, “Private philanthropy fuels MCC’s ability to respond to evolving student and community needs in educating our community’s next generation of leaders and professionals. The MCC Foundation is grateful for ESL’s continued generosity, unwavering partnership and passion for transforming the lives of students and our communities.”
“Generous community supporters like ESL share a commitment to student success and a vision to lift up students from all walks of life across our region,” said Gretchen Wood, CFRE, vice president of institutional advancement and executive director of the MCC Foundation. “Because of them, thousands of MCC students now have the scholarship and other supports they need to establish strong foundations for life.”
MCC Alumni Hall of Fame inductees, from left, Joseph L. Searles Jr.; Myra P. Henry, Ed.D.; Erin L. Waller; and Douglas E. Parker III.
The event also highlighted the achievements and leadership of four MCC Alumni Hall of Fame inductees: Myra P. Henry, Ed.D. ’09, Douglas E. Parker III ’92, Joseph L. Searles Jr. ’89, and Erin L. Waller ’98. (Their bios are available on MCC’s website.)
MCC Presidents Emeriti Dr. Peter Spina and R. Thomas Flynn were honorary chairs for the event. Flor Colón (Xerox Corp.) and Daniel Goldstein (Royal Oak Realty) served as event co-chairs.
The Salute to Excellence award reflects the recipient’s commitment to public higher education and the community. Past recipients of the award include the Wegman Family Charitable Foundation, Avangrid Foundation and RG&E, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Greater Rochester Health Foundation, Xerox Foundation, and Robin ’80 and Tim ’80 Wentworth.