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The Raritan Valley Community College Foundation had a record-setting Giving Day on March 18, more than doubling its success over last year’s total. Giving Day 2021 raised $51,510 to help the students, programs, and faculty of RVCC. In 2020, RVCC Giving Day raised $23,635.

This year, the 24-hour, online fundraising event focused on four broad areas at the College—Student Life, Student Support, Academic & Faculty Programs, and Institutes—representing a significant cross-section of RVCC.

Much of the day’s success was thanks to a generous, $10,000 contribution from RVCC alum Joel Reyes-Guzman, a former resident of Bound Brook who graduated from the College in 2014. After RVCC, Reyes-Guzman transferred to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Reyes-Guzman is now a Propulsion Engineer at The Boeing Company.

"I did not know at the time that going to RVCC would be one of the best decisions I ever made. RVCC offered me everything I needed and more. I went from initially not securing the financial support I needed, to successfully and comfortably transferring to earn my bachelor’s degree and then landing my dream job—debt free. I benefited from so many caring people when I was a student at RVCC—people I remain in touch with—so I know the importance of paying it forward,” said Joel Reyes-Guzman, a member of the RVCC Foundation Board of Directors. “Celebrating Giving Day with the gift of RVCC scholarships for students from Bound Brook High School was a perfect way for me to start giving back.”

In addition, Reyes-Guzman decided to “challenge” his colleagues on the RVCC Foundation Board of Directors. “To double the impact of my $10,000, I asked board members to collectively match my gift—and they did, and then some,” noted Reyes-Guzman.

“Our record results for this 24-hour campaign were particularly gratifying this year, given the pandemic and the isolation everyone has been feeling,” said Mike Marion, Executive Director, RVCC Foundation. “With our students in mind and taking RVCC’s mission to heart, our community, led by our Foundation Board of Directors, stepped up and said, ‘you matter and we care.’ It was a truly extraordinary outpouring of generosity and we could not be more grateful,” continued Marion.

The event’s student contributions were led by the RVCC Women’s Volleyball and Men’s Basketball teams, winners of the “Patrick J. Fittipaldi Award” for student Giving Day fundraising success. The Men’s Basketball team was honored for raising the most funds at $3,137.50, and the Women’s Volleyball team was celebrated for bringing in the most donors: 38.

In total, close to 250 donors from the College and larger community supported Giving Day, with RVCC student clubs and teams raising over $8,000. The top three areas of donations were earmarked for the College’s Athletic programs, the Student Emergency Fund, and Scholarships.

The RVCC Foundation is the fundraising arm of Raritan Valley Community College. It provides the resources that enable the College to enhance its programs beyond public and tuition sources and to maintain its standing as a premier academic institution and one of the most important sources of culture and continuing education in Somerset and Hunterdon counties.

For more information about supporting the College or the RVCC Foundation, contact Mike Marion, 908-648-8567 or michael.marion@raritanval.edu.

Ranked by WalletHub.com, Intelligent.com and Niche.com as the #1 community college in New Jersey, Raritan Valley Community College has been serving as an academic and cultural center for Somerset and Hunterdon County residents for over 50 years. The College has been nationally recognized for its service to the community, environmental stewardship, and commitment to diversity. It is home to a Planetarium, Science Education Institute, and an Honors College for high achieving students.

The College offers more than 90 associate degrees and certificates, as well as career training, small business assistance through the Small Business Development Center, and professional development courses. RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 25, 2021

Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383

PR #73