TO:   Board of Regents

FROM:  Jane A. Karas, President

DATE: 11/9/2001

RE:  November Campus Report


  • The FVCC Foundation held the 8th Annual Scholarship Luncheon on November 1st, to thank scholarship donors who have contributed over $104,916 during FY01, providing scholarship awards for 224 qualified and talented students to attend FVCC.  Attendance at the event exceeded 140 individuals, the largest Scholarship luncheon to date.

  • VCC Art Instructor Gayle Hegland and FVCC Art student Frank Tetrault were selected to participate in the 2001 Montana Gathering of Artists, a juried collection of artists from around the U.S., that participate in a four-day workshop. Their artwork is on a yearlong tour of Montana, and is on exhibit at the Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell, through December 2nd.

  • The FVCC Student Senate hosted a "Monster Mash," Halloween carnival and haunted house for small children on October 31st. More than 100 youngsters attended the 3rd annual party.

  • The FVCC Foundation received an additional gift from the estate of Mel Ruder, long-time supporter of the college, of $50,000 for endowed scholarships. Other gifts received included $20,000 from Paul Wachholz, taking advantage of the Montana Tax Credit for endowed philanthropy.

  • FVCC is hosting meetings with the president and community leaders in Flathead and Lincoln counties. The purpose is to offer community leaders the opportunity to learn about the college and to share their thoughts and ideas. During the next few months, public forums will follow in local communities.

  • At the October board meeting, Thomas Oslund, a nationally recognized architect specializing in design and master planning, gave the FVCC Board of Trustees an overview of a master planning process. This would be the first step in identifying the need for, design of, and the site for any new facilities on campus.

  • The Flathead Valley Community Theatre (FVCT) opened the theatre season by partnering with the Bigfork Community Players to offer, "See How They Run," at the Bigfork Performing Arts Center, last month. FVCT's next production, "Don't Drink the Water," opens, November 9, on campus.

  • FVCC Professional Goldsmithing students have been making and selling original jewelry, and donating all profits to the American Red Cross, for the September 11th Fund.Individual pieces are available in the bookstore, and range in price from $5 to $50. The FVCC - Lincoln County Campus Student Senate and Phi Theta Kappa Honor's Society also collected monetary donations in Libby, raising $700 for the Red Cross.

  • The FVCC Foundation is hosting the annual Christmas Tree Excellence fundraiser, now in its seventh year. This event has raised over $300,000 for student scholarships and to enhance activities for youth in the community.

November 2001 Minutes