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This content was published: December 4, 2012. Phone numbers, email addresses, and other information may have changed.

PHOTOS: Michael Powell, donors meet with Future Connect students

Story by James Hill. Photos by Russell Banks.

The Future Connect Celebration on Thursday, Nov. 29 at the Southeast Center’s ballroom featured program students mixing with donors, telling their stories with them and thanking them for their work with PCC Foundation to help fund Future Connect. Michael and Alice Powell were guest speakers at the event, which featured donors, first- and second-year students. Plus, it was a chance for the PCC Foundation to celebrate the second year of the Future Connect Scholarship Program.

Future Connect is a partnership between Portland Community College, City of Portland and the community. It targets low-income, first-generation college students that have shown promise for succeeding in college, but face barriers to success. In addition to the scholarship, they meet with a college success coach that will help them overcome obstacles and stay in school. Donations to the PCC Foundation (and to Clackamas and Mt. Hood community colleges) fund these scholarships and the City of Portland doubles all gifts as part of a matching challenge of up to $380,000 each year to support the program.

Leng Yang (right), a Future Connect student who graduated from Reynolds High School, chats with Michael Powell, owner of Powell’s Bookstore.

Leng Yang (right), a Future Connect student who graduated from Reynolds High School, chats with Michael Powell, owner of Powell’s Bookstore.

Michael and Alice Powell were guest speakers at the event, which featured donors, first- and second-year students. Plus, it was a chance for the PCC Foundation to celebrate the second year of the Future Connect Scholarship Program.

Michael and Alice Powell were guest speakers at the event, which featured donors, first- and second-year students. Plus, it was a chance for the PCC Foundation to celebrate the second year of the Future Connect Scholarship Program.

The ballroom at the Southeast Center was the site for the Future Connect Celebration.

The ballroom at the Southeast Center was the site for the Future Connect Celebration.