Largest-ever donation to create endowed fund for science, tech program students
CEDAR RAPIDS—Future generations of Iowa scientists, technicians and educators just got another two million reasons to feel encouraged about their studies at Kirkwood Community College.
ACT, Inc. has committed $2 million to establish an endowed ACT Scholarship Fund at Kirkwood. The major gift through the Kirkwood Foundation will ensure substantial funds for students pursuing studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) areas.
The Iowa City based educational testing and research firm pledged the funds to promote studies in science and technical fields, identified by many Corridor business and industry leaders as crucial to the strength and economic growth of Iowa and the Midwest.
ACT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dick Ferguson noted the long, wide-ranging partnership between Kirkwood and the company in sharing news of the gift.
“We are proud and delighted to make this commitment to student scholarship and success, with an esteemed partner college who shares our spirit of excellence. ACT is a non-profit, mission-driven organization, dedicated to helping people achieve education and workplace success. We admire and value the efforts of two year colleges, like Kirkwood, that directly connect education and workforce requirements.
This gift recognizes the long and productive relationship between ACT and Kirkwood. Our ACT staff has benefitted from Kirkwood training and many of our employees are Kirkwood graduates. We hope this commitment will play an important role in the future of student success and economic vitality in Iowa,” Ferguson observed.
Kirkwood President Mick Starcevich hailed the ACT gift as “one of the brightest days ever” for the college.
“I am nearly speechless with this news, this wonderful vote of support for Kirkwood and our mission. The ACT endowment is our single largest gift and will mean many opportunities for students for generations to come. ACT understands the skills and knowledge our current and future workforce needs to stay competitive around the world. Their consistent work with Kirkwood and others to identify and encourage solid employee skills has been a cornerstone of our partnerships in job growth and economic development. We are proud of our partnership with ACT and are truly grateful for this gift,” Starcevich said.
Since 2005 Kirkwood has been a partner with ACT in implementing the National Career Readiness Certificate/Iowa Career Readiness Certificate, with 145 employers involved in the region. More than 3,000 certificates have been awarded to individual employees since the program’s inception at Kirkwood. The NCRC/ICRC is a national and state system, a comprehensive employment tool that links qualified individuals with employers who recognize the value of skilled job applicants and employees.
Kirkwood Vice President of Resource Development Kathy Hall saluted the “transformational scope” of the ACT gift in her remarks.
“We appreciate this wonderful vote of confidence for Kirkwood’s education and training programs,” Hall said. “ACT has been a stalwart partner in many positive initiatives with tangible benefits to individual employees and companies of all sizes. The endowed support that starts today will benefit students for generations to come. The fruits of this gift will make good things possible long after the present day.”
More information on scholarship opportunities through the Kirkwood Foundation is available from the college website: