growing momentum
DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna, Ph.D.
President
Monroe Community College
Growing Momentum: PRESIDENT’S LETTER
At Monroe Community College, we believe in the transformative power of education—and thanks to your generosity, that power is reaching more lives than ever before. This year, the Monroe Community College Foundation awarded an unprecedented $2 million in scholarships, a milestone that reflects the growing momentum behind our shared mission.
Your support is catalyzing bright futures for our community and its people. Every scholarship, every gift and every act of advocacy helps MCC students overcome barriers and pursue their goals with confidence. Whether they are training for high-demand careers, transferring to four-year institutions or becoming leaders in their communities, our students are thriving because of you.
Consider Chloe Vega, a recipient of the Jyoti and Mahendra Nanavati Endowed Scholarship, who graduated from MCC with a degree in surgical technology in 2024 and is committed to continuing to invest in her healthcare career. Chloe has returned to MCC and is now enrolled in the Nursing Program. Her journey is one of thousands made possible by your belief in MCC.
Beyond individual success stories, MCC’s impact is felt across the region. According to data from 2023, MCC contributed $915 million in added income to the local economy, supporting 9,808 jobs and preparing a skilled workforce that meets the evolving needs of employers and strengthens the fabric of our community.
As we look ahead, we are energized by the momentum we’ve built together. Thank you for being part of this movement. With your continued support, we will keep opening doors, changing lives and building a brighter future for all.
Gretchen D. Wood, MPA, CFRE
Vice President, Institutional Advancement
Monroe Community College
Executive Director
MCC Foundation
Maureen R. Wolfe
Executive Vice President, Human
Resources & Community Impact
ESL Federal Credit Union
Chair
MCC Foundation Board of Directors
MCC Foundation director since 2014
LEADERSHIP MESSAGE
As we reflect on the past year, we are filled with immense gratitude and pride. Thanks to your unwavering support, the Monroe Community College Foundation has reached a historic milestone: awarding $2 million in scholarships to Monroe Community College students—the highest amount in our history. This achievement is more than a number; it represents thousands of dreams made possible, barriers overcome and futures transformed.
This year’s theme, “Growing Momentum,” perfectly captures the spirit of what we’ve built together. Every gift, every partnership and every act of generosity has helped accelerate the success of MCC students. Your support fuels their journey— whether they’re the first in their family to attend college, returning to school to pursue a new career or striving to make a difference in their community.
The MCC Foundation plays a vital role in ensuring that education remains accessible, equitable and empowering. We are not just funding scholarships—we are investing in potential, in perseverance and in the promise of a brighter tomorrow. With your help, we are growing a movement that lifts lives and strengthens our region.
Thank you for being part of this momentum. Together, we are building a legacy of opportunity and impact that will resonate for generations to come.
Martin K. Birmingham
President and CEO, Five Star Bank
Chair Elect
MCC Foundation Board of Directors
MCC Foundation director since 2008
“It is an honor to step into the role of board chair and I’m deeply inspired by the opportunity to serve our students. I look forward to the privilege of working with my dedicated fellow directors as we continue building pathways for student achievement and growing community impact.”
A MILESTONE WORTH CELEBRATING — THANKS TO YOU!
This achievement reflects the passion, dedication and generosity of our entire MCC community—from our hardworking students and exceptional faculty and staff to the donors whose support turns dreams into reality. This new, record amount will empower more students than ever to achieve their educational goals with fewer financial barriers.
As we celebrate this milestone, we will continue our work and our ongoing commitment to expanding educational access, affordability and excellence. The need for scholarships remains significant. We’re deeply grateful to those considering a gift and invite you to contact the MCC Foundation to learn how you can establish a named scholarship and create lasting change.
$2 Million in scholarships awarded during the 2024-2025 academic year alone!
President Emeritus R. Thomas Flynn
HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PRESIDENT EMERITUS R. THOMAS FLYNN
With deep sadness, Monroe Community College announced the passing of its fourth president, R. Thomas Flynn, on April 10, 2025. President Emeritus Flynn began his career at MCC in 1974 and served the College with distinction for more than three decades. He held multiple leadership roles before becoming president in 1999, retiring in 2008 as MCC’s longest-serving officer. His visionary leadership helped transform MCC into a national leader in higher education.
During his tenure, he championed initiatives that expanded student access and success, including the Pamela Ann Chesonis (PAC) Center, the Homeland Security Management Institute, the Richard M. Guon Child Care Center, online learning and the 2+2 dual-admission program. He was a strong advocate for student services, residence life and private philanthropic support through the Monroe Community College Foundation. In recognition of his legacy, the Brighton Campus Center was renamed the R. Thomas Flynn Campus Center in 2004.
Family, friends and colleagues gathered at MCC in June for a celebration of life. Memorial gifts were directed to the R. Thomas and Kate Flynn Endowed Scholarship for Student Leaders. A $100,000 gift was made through Tom’s estate to expand his family’s scholarship and ensure his legacy will live on in the lives of students yet to come.
“As we continue to build upon the foundation Tom helped lay, we are reminded of the great privilege—and responsibility—we carry forward. His legacy endures not only in the buildings that bear his name or the programs he championed, but in every student whose life has been and will be transformed at MCC.
I will always be grateful for the friendship Tom and I shared—a friendship marked by kindness, encouragement and trust. It’s a true privilege to carry forward a piece of his legacy.”
MCC ALUM INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME
Rochester’s rock legend and Monroe Community College alum Lou Gramm ’71 was among the elite musicians honored October 19 at the 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cleveland, Ohio. Lou, a former member and lead singer of Foreigner, and attending original members of the band delivered speeches and performed a medley of songs after accepting the honor.
Lou grew up in the Rochester suburb of Gates. He graduated from Gates-Chili High School in 1968 and majored in education and art at MCC. Lou was the frontman for the band Black Sheep before joining Foreigner in 1976. The band’s first eight singles charted in the Billboard Top 20 and their nearly 50-year legacy, commercial success, musicality and songwriting prowess have left a lasting legacy.
Lou was inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame in 2013 and the MCC Alumni Hall of Fame in 1992. He returned to MCC in 2013 to launch his autobiography, “Juke Box Hero—My Five Decades in Rock ’n’ Roll.” Lou is considered among the greatest and most successful rock vocalists of all time.
Lou Gramm