POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess Community College Foundation’s annual Gala – Our Community’s Bridge to the Future – was held March 30 at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie. The event drew about 350 guests to honor four and raised almost $220,000 for educational initiatives.
Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union Assistant Vice President Lisa Morris and Williams Lumber & Home Centers owner Sandy Williams were inducted into the DCC Alumni Hall of Fame, while The Council of Industry received the College’s Bridge to the Future Award and Employment and Labor Consultant and distinguished volunteer Carol Gordon received the Bernard Handel Community Leadership Award.
Morris (’85) has worked in marketing and public relations for many industries including financial services, manufacturing and engineering. At Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union she is responsible for all PR efforts, financial literacy programs, community outreach and government relations.
Williams (’60) runs one of the largest independently owned home center chains in the northeast with eight locations employing over 250 people. He has earned the Lumber Person of the Year award from the NRLA Mid-Hudson Lumber Dealer Association and the Poughkeepsie Journal’s Business Person of the Year award.
Gordon, an accomplished executive who owns a consulting firm, has served on over a dozen not-for-profit boards and committees including the Dutchess Community College Foundation Board of Directors, The Art Effect Advisory Board, the Half Moon Theatre Board of Directors, the Northern Dutchess Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and many more.
The Council of Industry has been the manufacturers association for the Hudson Valley since 1910. A privately funded not-for-profit, its mission is to promote the success of its member firms and employees by providing training programs for manufacturing employees and workforce development initiatives such as collaborative recruiting and apprenticeship programs.
Gala sponsors included Bonura Hospitality Group, Pepsi Cola of the Hudson Valley, the Poughkeepsie Journal, Michael Dupree and Michael Fleischer, IBM, Key Bank, Royal Carting Service Company and VIVO Creative.
The mission of the Dutchess Community College Foundation is to raise funds to provide scholarships and support the college’s initiatives that will have a significant and direct impact on the students, faculty and staff of Dutchess Community College. The DCC Foundation awards approximately $450,000 in scholarships to more than 250 DCC students annually.
