PROCEEDS FROM SCC FOUNDATION’S PEAR AWARD GALA
TO FUND SCHOLARSHIPS
David Ross honored for personal and professional contributions to St. Charles County

Together, friends and neighbors of the St. Charles Community College Foundation raised $39,000 for scholarships and education programs at their annual PEAR Award Gala.
 
The annual Professional Excellence Achievement Recognition (PEAR) Award was presented to David Ross, president of Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital, at the PEAR Award Gala on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Whitmoor Country Club in Weldon Spring, Mo.
 
Ross was honored for his personal and professional contributions to St. Charles County and its residents. Ross leads a 111-bed community hospital that recently completed a new Outpatient Surgery and Endoscopy Center, the Siteman Cancer Center, a Women’s Center, and a Cardiology Center. Construction is underway on a new 64-bed, $28 million expansion.
 
In addition to his service as a board member of the SCC Foundation, Ross currently serves on the boards of the Tri-County United Way, Crider Center, ShowMe Aquatics, the Economic Development Council, Partners for Progress, and Commerce Bank, and is a member of the St. Peters Economic Development Task Force and the Academy of Sacred Heart Finance Committee.
 
“David is an outstanding example of how we, as community citizens, can change lives for the better,” said John McGuire, SCC president.
 
Supporters roasted and toasted Ross, and battled over auction items such as a diamond necklace and a weekend stay at a luxury loft in downtown St. Louis. The spirited, Mardi Gras-themed event included live jazz by St. Louis musicians Mike Buerk, Carolbeth True, and Bob Lowe, as well as an after party with casino games.
 
Julie Bartch, president of the SCC Foundation, said the funds raised at the event would help ensure that students who want to pursue a college education have the ability and necessary tools to do so. “Access to higher education is important for our community,” said Bartch. “We are so thankful for the generosity of our sponsors and guests, who truly believe in the value of education.”

Dolora Beckerle, Foundation board member, chaired the event. “Seeing so many people come together in these tough economic times, working together to ensure students have affordable, yet high quality education options regardless of their personal financial positions, is truly inspiring,” she said.
 
Other speakers included Deb Smith, Darrell Roegner, Robert MacDonald, Karen Prideaux, Jill Skyles, and Michael Elam. Jamie Miller, SCC nursing alumna and Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital employee, thanked the Foundation for their support of the nursing program at SCC.
 
Top sponsors for the event were Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and SSM St. Joseph Health Center. Additional sponsors included Acropolis Investment Management LLC, Beckerle Preferred Properties, Commerce Bank, FastLane Convenience Stores, Hazelwood & Weber LLC, Brenda and Maurice Newberry, and Progress West HealthCare Center, a member of BJC HealthCare.
 
For information on the PEAR Award Gala or to learn more about the SCC Foundation’s impact on students, contact Kasey McKee, annual giving manager, at 636-922-8472, or kmckee@stchas.edu.
 
The vision of the St. Charles Community College Foundation is to transform lives and strengthen communities. The independent, 501(c)3, not-for-profit corporation was formed to solicit, receive, and administer gifts, grants, bequests, and donations to support the educational purposes of the college. For more information, visit the Foundation Web site at www.stchas.edu/foundation.
 
St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences, and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational, and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit www.stchas.edu.

Photos and cutlines

Back To News