23rd Annual WCC Foundation Jerry Jernigan Memorial

Golf Outing

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Student Center Building, Suite 3064800 East Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-4800734-973-3665 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 doScholarship 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 Raffl eTicket Price $10 each or 3 for $20

Raffl e Drawings at golf outing at 7pm

To RSVP of for more info, call

Golf Outing Raffles

2 Year Lease on a Chevy Cruze

$4000in

CASHOR

Help our students, play, sponsor, or just come for dinner and auction

Monday, August 15, 2016Fox Hills

Golf & Banquet Center

734-973-3665

Photos by Jessica Bibbee