TCC 2019 Vision Dinner Reaches Historic Goal

The 2019 Vision in Education Leadership Award Dinner hit a historic goal, raising $405,325 for the Tulsa Community College Foundation at its annual event on Thursday, Sept. 19. Visionary sponsors, the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, Cox Communications, ONEOK, TTCU Federal Credit Union and an anonymous donor, helped to make this the single largest Vision Dinner in its 19-year history. 
Tulsa County Commissioner Karen Keith was presented with the 2019 Vision in Education Leadership Award for her work as a public servant to move our community forward and commitment to improve the lives of Oklahomans. Roger Ramseyer served as the 2019 Foundation Vision Dinner chair. John and Lesa Smaligo served as the honorary co-chairs. 
“Karen Keith is able to build consensus to create real and meaningful change,” said TCC President and CEO Leigh B. Goodson. “She is passionate and sincere whether advocating for levee funding, championing the creation of a new Family Center for Juvenile Justice which opens next month, or serving on the Future of Higher Education statewide task force.” 
As a Tulsa County Commissioner, she has served the people of District 2 since November 2008. She served on the board and was the 100th president of the Rotary Club of Tulsa, where she is a Paul Harris Fellow. Keith also serves on the Oklahoma Historical Society board of directors. She is a member of Leadership Oklahoma Class XX, the Oklahoma Academy, and the chambers of commerce in Tulsa, Jenks, Sand Springs and Southwest Tulsa. 
Funds raised from the annual Vision Dinner support students by providing funds for scholarships, leadership development and mentoring opportunities, technology and equipment necessary to prepare today’s work force. 
“The TCC Foundation was founded in 1970, the same time as the College, and has a long tradition of providing financial resources to support the College’s mission of building success through education,” said Kari Shults, interim vice president of advancement and TCC Foundation president. “We are able to do this work because of the strong support we receive from the community and individual donors who help us create a better community one person and degree at a time.” 
The 2019 TCC Vision in Education Leadership Award Dinner committee members are Scott Asbjornson, Jeff Brooks, Kevin Gross, Jennifer Jezek, Jackie Price Johannsen, and Sean Kouplen. 
Past honorees include Alison Anthony; Dr. Keith Ballard; David Boren; Montie Box; Congressman Tom Cole; Early Childhood Education Advocates: Pete Churchwell, Bill Doenges, Leonard Eaton, Martin Fate, Ted Fisher, George Kaiser, Robert LaFortune, Nancy McDonald, Ron Peters; John Gaberino, Jr.; Dr. Jim and Ann Halligan; Susan Harris; former Governor Brad Henry; Jake Henry Jr.; Michael Johnson; Ron King; Ken Lackey; Dr. Paula Marshall; David Page; Lynn and Stacy Schusterman; Don Walker; and John-Kelly Warren.