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The RPCC Foundation is celebrating 20 years of service!  Begun by a group of like-minded individuals from across the River Region who believed in the mission of River Parishes Community College and had a great desire to support that mission, the RPCC Foundation has continued to grow and support the college, and most importantly the students it serves.  We would be remiss if we did not recognize those inspired and inspiring first Board of Directors members including Leonard Alcorn of Paincourtville, Paul Aucoin of Vacherie, John Beck of Donaldsonville, Riley Boudreaux Sr. of Lutcher, Eva Bourgeois of St. Amant, Joe Cagnolatti of IMC Agrico in Uncle Sam, Vito Fiore of Vulcan Chemicals in Geismar, Frank Gordon, Pat Bell, P. Jeff Smith and Dub Noel of Gonzales, Ted Gout of LaPlace, Louis Lambert of Prairieville, Bill McCord of Geismar and Haston Lewis of Edgard.

Being true to the mission statement, The RPCC Foundation ensures the sustainable development of RPCC by attracting philanthropy and engaging in advocacy and strategic partnerships to advance the college and benefit the students it serves, the Foundation has raised over $3.5 million to support the college and its students.  The RPCC Foundation has awarded over $550,000 in scholarships to students in all fields of study.  Students seeking a scholarship should apply at https://rpcc.awardspring.com.

While the focus has been on providing scholarships to students, the Foundation has also contributed nearly $1 million towards the creation of the Technical Training Center on the Gonzales campus and will support the college in building a fully operational glycol processing unit to provide hands-on real-world training for students in all of the industrial fields and incumbent worker training for our industrial partners.

In addition to construction and scholarships, the Foundation has supported students and faculty through numerous initiatives including supporting faculty initiatives that enhance the student learning opportunities such as sending an art class to a local theatrical production.  For many students it was their first time to see a play and one student was inspired to volunteer with stagecraft at the local theater.

The Foundation has supported the faculty and staff that were impacted by the Great Flood of 2016 and most recently provided students with Android Tablets to complete their coursework that was shifted to an online format due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Those tablets were gifted by the generosity of Foundation Board Member Beryl Smith, DOW Chemical, and SHELL.  Without these electronic devices many of our students would have had no way to complete their coursework as both on-campus and public libraries were closed.

Today, the RPCC Foundation continues to seek partnerships with individuals, businesses and industries that will help us further our philanthropic goals and provide pathways for our students to be a success while in school and more importantly when they enter the work environment.  If you are interested in learning more about the RPCC Foundation, contact Lillie Murphy at lmurphy@rpcc.edu 225.743-8763 or give at https://www.rpcc.edu/about-us/rpcc-foundation/donation-form/

You can also contact any of our current Foundation Board Members:

Chairman Dale Hymel, Jr. – Port of South Louisiana, Vice Chair Beryl Smith, Treasurer P. Jeff Smith -Excel Group, Secretary Lisa Bacala, Paul Aucoin – Port of South Louisiana, Hon. Johnny Berthelot, Glynn Fontenot – Methanex, Sarah Haneline – BASF, Louis Joseph, Hon. Louis Lambert, Michael Palamone – St. Charles Parish Government, Kevin Schexnayder – Hancock-Whitney, Judge Alvin Turner Jr., Chancellor Dale Doty.

It is these Board Members who generously give their time, energy, leadership, and resources who have made the RPCC Foundation a 20-year success!  A special commendation goes to those founding members who have served for 20 years:  Paul Aucoin, Hon. Louis Lambert, an Jeff Smith – THANK YOU!!!

Lillie Murphy is the director of institutional development at RPCC in Gonzales, and may be contacted at 225.743.8763.