2025 CCAF Luncheon Recap
The Community College of Aurora Foundation exceeded expectations at its annual luncheon, raising just under $250,000 to support CCA students! Learn how you can give back by visiting https://auroragives.org/.
Video produced by the CCA Dept. of Strategic Communications
AURORA, Colo. (Friday, May 2, 2025) — The Community College of Aurora (CCA) Foundation exceeded expectations last week at its annual Foundation Luncheon, raising just under $250,000 to support CCA students. Elected officials, community members, employers, alumni, students, and more were present to mark a new milestone,the highest attendance in the luncheon’s history, with more than 450 guests in attendance.
The event’s title sponsor, Civitas Resources, along with Nelnet, who will serve as the new Presidential Scholars sponsors, combined to match $30,000 during the paddle-raising portion of the luncheon. An additional $5,000 paddle match was provided by BVH Architecture. More than $85,000 was raised during the paddle-raise, with over 152 paddles raised to support student success.
Foundation leaders said surpassing this year’s fundraising goal showcases the community’s commitment to fostering student success and moving CCA’s goals forward.
“As more than 84% of our scholarship recipients achieve a positive outcome within two years of receiving their first scholarship, the community’s investment in CCA students is advancing educational attainment, workforce readiness and economic opportunity. Thank you for transforming futures with us,” said CCA Foundation Executive Director John Wolfkill.
CCA President Dr. Mordecai Brownlee kicked off the event with remarks, emphasizing the community’s commitment to helping CCA achieve its goals through the work of the foundation, and thanking attendees for their generosity and impact on student success.
Student voices took center stage, with remarks from Katerin Urias, an Aurora Gives Scholar, and emcee Darius “D” Kendrick, a Presidential Scholar and Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) Scholar.
Additional speakers included Sandy Rodriguez-Welsh (UCHealth and CCA Foundation Board Member), Jajuan Owens (University of Colorado Anschutz nursing student and CCA Integrated Nursing Pathway alum), Ocean Munds-Dry (Civitas Resources), and John Wolfkill, CCA Foundation Executive Director. In addition to his emcee duties, Kendrick was recognized with a surprise check presentation of the inaugural Chancellor Joe Garcia Student Excellence Scholarship for $1,000 dollars.
During the event, the CCA Foundation announced that it has awarded a record-setting $910,000 in scholarships to 417 students for the 2024–2025 academic year. Over the last five years, thousands of students have received financial support through generous community donations.
Learn more about how you can support CCA students by clicking HERE. Check out images from the event by clicking HERE!
About the Community College of Aurora:
The Community College of Aurora (CCA) provides high-quality instruction and student support services to Aurora and Denver, Colorado. With a vision to aspire to be a college where every student succeeds, CCA is the most diverse college in the State of Colorado. Focused on creating social and economic mobility for its students, the college offers courses on two (2) campuses, online, and through its high school concurrent-enrollment programs. For more information, visit www.ccaurora.edu.
Contact:
Courtney Butler
Director of Strategic Communications and Special Initiatives
Strategic Communications and Alumni Engagement
P: 303-340-7201 | E: [email protected]