Clark students and Oswald reveal the total amount raised for Clark’s Ensuring A Bright Future fundraising campaign during a campus celebration September 30.

A burst of sunshine lit up the stage on September 30 as Clark College students lined up to reveal the final amount raised for the college’s five-year Ensuring a Bright Future fundraising campaign. More than 150 guests were in attendance as the Columbia River High School marching band, bedecked in black and gold uniforms and high-crowned shakos, made their way up the campus’ mall and positioned themselves behind the line of students holding blank placards.

Clark College Foundation President/CEO Lisa Gibert and Clark College President Bob Knight called out the numbers, one at a time, as students turned their placards to reveal another digit in the figure. When it was done, the band’s drums pounded, the horns blew, and the crowd erupted in cheers to see $26,593,789 raised for student success at Clark.

“The Ensuring a Bright Future Campaign has been instrumental in bridging the challenges facing our community,” said Gibert. “The funds raised have made it possible to offer relevant and accessible education and training for people in tandem with industry workforce needs.”

The festivities were a culmination of five years of fundraising spearheaded by Clark College Foundation. More than 4,000 donors contributed to the successful campaign that included raising money for scholarships, programs, facilities, endowments and faculty development.

Rain dampened the lawns as the afternoon celebration began, but didn’t dampen the spirits of the people who gathered under large, peaked carnival tents to explore interactive demonstrations at a variety of tables. There were microbes in Petri dishes being tested for antibiotic properties, mini-catapults made with tongue depressors and cotton balls, body composition testing, network cable making, and more. Guest also enjoyed complimentary hot dogs, rice-and-vegetable bowls, and sweet desserts such as funnel cupcakes and strawberry shortcake cups.

Bryce Ruppe, a business major at Clark, stood at the microphone to describe how Clark’s faculty are invested in his success. He also thanked the foundation and the audience for supporting him financially through a scholarship.

“Having access to scholarships is life-changing,” said Ruppe. “It’s great comfort for me to receive a scholarship that helps relieve the pressure of paying bills while I’m in college. Thank you so much for helping me.”

The community is invited to help Clark College celebrate the successful completion of the “Ensuring a Bright Future” fundraising campaign on September 30 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the Andersen Fountain on the main campus of Clark College. The family-friendly celebration will include carnival-inspired games and food, as well as presentations by Clark students from a variety of academic fields and at least one big surprise.

When the Clark College Foundation launched the “Ensuring a Bright Future” campaign five years ago, it set its fundraising goal at $20 million. As has been previously announced, that goal was surpassed—a remarkable feat at any time, but especially during one of the worst economic downturns within living memory, and a testament to the important role Clark College plays in supporting its community. During the September 30 celebration, attendees will learn exactly how much the campaign raised.

The “Ensuring a Bright Future” campaign was launched in 2010 by the Clark College Foundation with the goal of raising $20 million to help support Clark College in key areas that had been identified by the college, the Clark College Foundation, and the community. The Clark College Foundation is the separate philanthropic arm of Clark College with the mission of supporting student success and providing funds for program excellence at the college.

This event is free and open to the public. Andersen Fountain is located to the south of Gaiser Hall.