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 Alan and Isabella Leepa |
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Twin Sisters Steinways $2.2 million Music Center St. Petersburg/Gibbs Campus Various friends and students |
William and Hazel Hough
Through the years, William and Hazel Hough have invested in the futures of countless SPC students. Their contributions of more than $5.2-million have helped to develop St. Petersburg College’s Downtown Center, provide for the Palladium Theater through St. Petersburg College’s endowment, supply funds for ongoing student scholarships and assist with the SPC Music Center’s Heissler Pipe Organ fund.
Mr. and Mrs. Hough have been widely recognized for their outstanding philanthropy in our community, as well as receiving honorary memberships in SPC’s Phi Theta Kappa Society.
SPC holds a very special place in the heart of Mr. Hough. “We give because of the wonderful things SPC is doing for its students, young and old,” he said.
Students at SPC think the Houghs are wonderful as well. On Friday, Feb. 17, 2006, Bill and Hazel were escorted by candlelight from their home at the Bayfront Towers to the entrance of SPC’s Downtown Center.
Along the way, more than 150 SPC students lined the streets and thanked the Houghs for their generous contribution to the college to help “dreams come true.” SPC President Carl M. Kuttler, Jr. presented the Houghs with bouquets of peach-colored roses and a scroll on which hundreds of students had written heartfelt expressions of gratitude for the Houghs’ kindness and generosity.
Evelyn and Richard Jerger
Evelyn Jerger, longtime supporter of SPC, and the namesake of the Associate in Science degree in Nursing, is pictured above receiving a warm welcome from the nursing students recently when she toured the Caruth Health Education Center.
Evelyn W. and Richard M. Jerger, long-time friends of St. Petersburg College and the Foundation, were the largest Alumni donors during the campaign to raise funds to build the Caruth Health Education Center. They donated $45,000 towards the project.
The Caruth Health Education Center was established to respond to the growing need for health care workers. St. Petersburg College’s nationally accredited health care programs are designed to develop the knowledge and skills needed for competency within the health care industry with programs in Dental Hygiene, Emergency Medical Services, Nursing, Medical Coder, Physical Therapist Assistant, Respiratory Care, Veterinary Technology, to name a few.
Richard Jerger, a former Foundation board member, died on Sept. 26, 2007. He was the Foundation's director from 1985-2002. Mr. Jerger was a decorated World War II Veteran. He served as a B-17 Flight Leader and Command Pilot attaining the rank of Major.
Like her husband, Mrs. Jerger served her country in World War II. In 1991 the SPC Associates in Science degree Nursing Program was named for her outstanding record of service in the field of nursing during World War II. She served in the European Theatre with the 12th Evacuation Hospital Unit. She also is esteemed for her many contributions to the community, church and civic life of Pinellas County.
Jim Sirmons
When Jim Sirmons graduated from St. Petersburg Junior College in 1937, he thought he was on his way to becoming a trial lawyer in St. Petersburg -- but broadcasting got in the way.
What followed was a lengthy and fascinating career that began as a radio announcer/personality and ended 60 years later as executive vice president of CBS.Sirmons finally retired in September of 2000. It was a lengthy and successful professional journey that began with speech, drama and a little broadcast training at SPJC.
“We did some radio at St. Petersburg Junior College,” Sirmons remembered during a recent conversation at his St. Petersburg home. “We did several radio dramas on WSUN at the end of the pier. Professor Augusta Center was our director and coach. For me, that was how the radio thing got started. I remember particularly doing excerpts from A Tale of Two Cities. I think I still have the script.”In honor of Professor Center, Jim Sirmons donated $10,000 to SPC in May of 2007, to establish the Augusta B. Center Scholarship in Communications Education.
“The experience at the junior college is what made it all possible,” he said. “Professor Center really took me over and pushed me into everything. I probably owe my career to her. She was an exceptional person.”
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