NICC Foundation golf tournaments continue to set fundraising records for scholarships

Two Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) golf tournament events to generate scholarship funds for NICC students set fundraising records last month. The NICC Foundation Golf Tournament and Scholarship Fundraisers, held in Calmar and Peosta, raised a combined $55,483 for NICC students. Participating in the Calmar tournament were 112 golfers and 140 participated at Peosta.

The NICC Foundation and a team of volunteers organize the events each year to raise the scholarship funds, and The R.J. McElroy Trust provides a $20,000 challenge match in support of NICC students. Barb O'Hea, associate director for the NICC Foundation, said the success of both tournaments indicates the strong support the events have from tournament sponsors, golf participants, vendors and volunteers.

"Our golf tournaments each year create scholarships for many students who, without this financial support, could not earn a college degree at NICC," said O'Hea. "Our sponsors and everyone who contributes to these events directly support students," she said. In 2011, golf tournament revenue funded the Dollars for Scholars Award, the NICC Foundation Scholarship and the Pepsi-Cola Scholarship, and 107 students were awarded funds to support their education at NICC, O'Hea added.

The NICC Foundation Golf Tournaments at Peosta and Calmar provide area residents with access to a quality education through scholarships and other financial assistance. The two tournaments, along with R.J. McElroy matching grants, have raised over $900,000 for student scholarships since the tournaments started, Calmar in 1981 and Peosta in 1991.

For more information on the NICC Foundation, visit www.nicc.edu/foundation.