Presidential Scholarship Luncheon
Annual Luncheon is Premier Scholarship Event
The annual Presidential Scholarship Luncheon is one important way the Tri-C Foundation and our philanthropic partners raise critically needed scholarship funds for Tri-C students. This long-standing, premier event brings together members of the community to hear a dynamic keynote speaker, and showcase Tri-C, our students and our mission. This event helps to grow essential resources for our students to pursue their education. Since its inception in 1992, the event has raised $24 million to support student scholarships.
2023 Luncheon Raises $1.1 Million to Support Students
Baseball legend, World Series champion and CEO Alex Rodriguez shared stories of perseverance as he helped the Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) Foundation raise funds for students during its 2023 Presidential Scholarship Luncheon, presented by PNC Bank.
The event raised $1.1 million in critical funds to help Tri-C students in need achieve their academic goals.
Tri-C President Emeritus Jerry Sue Thornton, whose foresight and dedication to student success set the stage for the Presidential Scholarship Luncheon, was honored at the event and was presented the inaugural Presidential Legacy Award. The award commemorates the 60th anniversary of the College and the 50th anniversary of the Tri-C Foundation. The Presidential Scholarship Luncheon stemmed from Thornton’s desire to raise scholarship funds as part of her inauguration festivities.
The event’s co-chair sponsors included AT&T, A Taste of Excellence, Brewer-Garrett, Consolidated Solutions, Cuyahoga County Workforce Funders Group, Steve and Dana Demetriou, The Sam J. Frankino Foundation, Keene, Inc., The Lerner Foundation, Medical Mutual, Minutemen Family of Companies, and Thompson Hine LLP.
Learn more about the 2023 presentation here.
Past Presidential Scholarship Luncheon speakers:
Patricia Heaton (2022)
The Right Honourable Theresa May (2021)
Bill Walton (2019)
Robert M. Gates (2018)
Octavia Spencer (2017)
Ted Koppel (2016)
Earvin "Magic" Johnson (2015)
President George Bush (2014)
President Bill Clinton (2013)
Madeleine Albright (2012)
The Right Honourable Tony Blair (2011)
Condoleezza Rice (2010)
George Stephanopoulos (2009)
Bob Costas (2008)
General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) (2007)
Tom Brokaw (2006)
Tim Russert (2005)
Edward Norton (2004)
Peter B. Lewis (2003)
Oprah Winfrey (2002)
Sam Donaldson (2001)
Ed Bradley (2000)
Senator John Glenn (1999)
Cokie Roberts (1998)
Hank Aaron (1997)
Harry Belafonte (1996)
Maya Angelou (1995)
Mark McCormack (1994)
Robert Lewis (1992)