Parkhursts honored with community college benefactor award

State Fair Community College benefactors Richard and Judy Parkhurst were honored Nov. 13 in Washington, D.C., for their long-standing commitment, service and gifts to the college, according to a news release from the college.

The Parkhursts received one of 10 national Community College Benefactor Awards given by the Council for Resource Development, an affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges. Awards were presented at a banquet during the council’s 43rd annual conference.

SFCC President Marsha Drennon said the Parkhursts were honored for their leadership in fundraising campaigns and their ongoing confidence in the value of SFCC’s mission.

“Judy is a member of the SFCC Foundation and a trustee of the college,” Drennon said. “Over the years the Parkhursts have given gifts to support technology, construction, publications, sculpture acquisition and allied health programming development.”

Drennon said the Parkhursts have subsidized their employee’s tuition and have sent four of their five children to college at SFCC.

“They even provided space in their warehouse for SFCC classes in the early days,” Drennon said.

The 10 award recipients were selected from 75 nominations across the country. Collectively, the recipients have given or facilitated gifts totaling more than $34 million to community colleges in the United States, according to CRD President Judy Everett.

Judy Parkhurst said she has always believed in using what her family has to help.

“For those who have been provided a great deal, along with that comes responsibility,” she said.

Richard Parkhurst said supporting the college was an easy decision.

“When we give to SFCC, we’re not just building buildings, we’re building lives,” he said.