The Columbia College Foundation is proud to announce the formation of the Amy Nilson Completion Scholarship Fund to honor Amy Nilson, Executive Director of the Foundation, who will be retiring in September of this year. Nilson joined the Foundation as Executive Director in October 2013. At that time, Foundation assets were approximately one million dollars. The now well-known Promise Program didn’t exist, and the leadership role of the Foundation at the College and throughout the community had yet to be firmly established. Today, Nilson’s leadership of the Foundation is apparent throughout the College. Full-time student enrollment has increased dramatically, thanks to the Foundation’s Promise Program. Completion rates have increased, due in part to the Foundation’s now robust Scholarship Program. And, with immense appreciation for her fundraising expertise, Foundation assets have increased to $6.4 million, awarding nearly $350K in scholarships last year, and funding full tuition for more than 600 Promise Scholarship students this school year. Nilson’s focus on student success has elevated the role of the Foundation in college and community life.

“This belief provided the inspiration for honoring her legacy,” said Margie Bulkin, President of the Columbia College Foundation. “She has inspired us to work harder, give more, and to never forget that degree completion is at the heart of student success. With this new scholarship fund, her legacy will live on.”

The Amy Nilson Completion Scholarship will provide 20 students per year, for 10 years, with a $1500 scholarship to enable completion of their chosen degree at Columbia College. The initial funding goal of $300,000 will be met through a $150,000 gift from the Foundation, collective pledges of $50,000 from members of the Foundation Board, and $100,000 to be raised from the community.

Fundraising efforts were launched immediately with the Board and are also underway in the community. Dollars raised beyond the $300,000 goal will extend the life of the scholarship fund beyond 10 years.

“Amy’s dedication to serving our students and her tireless efforts in fundraising have made a remarkable difference at Columbia College,” said Dr. Lena Tran, President of Columbia College. “It has been an honor working with Amy, and we are incredibly proud to establish the Amy Nilson Completion Scholarship in her name.”