The first Anna Lawson Scholar, Theresa Russo, is pictured above thanking Mr. Jim Lawson for his help in achieving her dream of becoming a school teacher. Stories like this are the heart of the Foundation Web site.
We hope you are inspired to make a difference as you read about our generous donors and the difference they have made in the lives of our students and in our community.
Quick links to this page include:
Donor Video Spots
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Leepa-Rattner Museum of Art $20 million gift Tarpon Springs Campus Allen and Isabella Leepa |
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Twin Sisters Steinways $2.2 million Music Center St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus Various friends and students |
Ramona Austin
For as long as she can remember, Ramona Austin has been a caregiver.
“My sister’s husband died and left her with three young children,” she explained. “I helped her care for her children while she attended St. Petersburg College.”
Her instinctive nature to help others and her desire for a college education eventually led Austin to pursue her passion – a career in nursing.
At 48, after decades of caring for others, she went to college for the first time, earning her nursing degree from St. Petersburg College.
Reflecting back on her rich career in nursing, she has arranged for a bequest to the college through her estate plan, to help students complete their nursing degrees.
Tom Tiedemann
Tom Tiedemann knows the value of a college education. He is the first and only member of his family to earn a college degree, and his deep appreciation has come full circle. Tom is giving back to his community through a gift to the St. Petersburg College Foundation.
“My dad was a tradesman who was very smart and skillful. He worked hard all of his life, but he didn’t have the opportunity to attend college,” Tiedemann said. “That’s why it was important to him that I earn a degree.”
Tiedemann earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology and a master’s degree in engineering from Texas Tech. He had a successful career as an electrical engineer working with companies such as Kellogg, Honeywell, Tampa Electric, and the Southwestern Public Service Company in Amarillo, Texas before retiring to Florida.
Upon reflection, Tiedemann decided his successful career should translate into an opportunity for someone else. “I know that college expenses are high, and a lot of good, capable people are coming out of high school and would not have the opportunity to attend college without some help,” he said. “I thought it would be nice to provide them with some assistance.”
His assistance came in the form of a bequest and the creation of the Tom A. Tiedemann Endowed Scholarship Fund for St. Petersburg College nursing students. Tiedemann’s vehicle is his mutual fund account. He designated the St. Petersburg College Foundation as the beneficiary of his mutual funds.
“Hopefully, my mutual funds will continue to grow,” he said. “I can receive dividends annually and never touch the principal.”
He adds, “I believe in giving back. I would recommend to anyone to consider a gift. It’s a great way to give back to the community and also help students realize their potential.”
Ken Cherven
At a time when most young men are focused on family and career, Ken Cherven found a way to give back early.
“As a young man raising a family, I couldn’t afford to do much in the way of charitable contributions,” he said.
So he purchased a life insurance policy with the proceeds going to the college.
“I pay the premiums to keep it in force. Even though it’s an end-of-life gift, I feel that I make an annual gift to the college by paying the premiums.”
Life insurance is a great way to give a deferred gift to the college when you may not be able to give a large gift immediately.
For more information on volunteering, donating to SPC programs, or considering leaving a legacy through a bequest, call Director of Planned Giving, Cindy Tully at 727-341-3126 or e-mail her at tully.cindy@spcollege.edu.
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