The J.C. Smith Foundation hosted an Open House at the State Fair Community College Clinton campus on Tuesday, Sept. 17. The Open House was held to increase awareness of the foundation and the role it plays in healthcare and higher education in the community.
The foundation was established through the estate of J.C. Smith, when he passed away in April of 2021. Smith was a staunch advocate of healthcare education and wanted to expand the opportunities in healthcare-related fields of study in Clinton.
“Those who knew J.C. Smith, know that if there was something good happening in Clinton, J.C. was likely involved,” said Craig Thompson, chief executive officer of GVMH and current president of the J.C. Smith Memorial Foundation. “J.C. understood how important it was for the community to have access to places like this (SFCC – Clinton) to improve a person’s standing.”
Thompson recognized the contributions of Dick Fleming, Dr. Gus Wetzel II, Scott Benard, and Gary Cover for their contributions to the establishment of the J.C. Smith Foundation. Thompson also acknowledged the J.C. Smith Foundation Board Members including, Dr. Brent Bates, Allison Brosch, Lynnette Hayes, and Sandra Braithwait.
Former SFCC – Clinton Campus Director Dara Bigler, who passed away in July, was also recognized for her service to the foundation board and the college. Bigler was instrumental in the success of SFCC – Clinton from its inception to present day.
Today, the SFCC – Clinton campus offers certificates and associate degrees in numerous healthcare fields of study including, medical assisting, surgical technology, and nursing. Enrollment at SFCC – Clinton has boomed with a sharp 29.9 percent increase for the fall.
“We are proud to be here and proud to serve Clinton,” said College President Brent Bates. “SFCC is Clinton’s community college and this campus has grown tremendously over the years. In addition to the associate of arts degree, a degree designed to help students transfer to a university, we have a number of health science programs designed to train people for jobs right here in the community.”
The SFCC – Clinton campus expanded to include the year-one nursing studies this year, when that program was discontinued at the Clinton Technical School.
“The J.C. Smith Foundation was instrumental in bringing that nursing program here,” said Bates. “Now SFCC – Clinton can continue to train nurses through the first two years of their studies to stay in Clinton.
The J.C. Smith Foundation was created to help students overcome financial obstacles in their educational journey.
Jennifer Manzano, a second-year nursing student at SFCC – Clinton was introduced as the initial scholarship recipient from the J.C. Smith Foundation. Manzano completed the practical nursing program at the Clinton Technical School in 2022 and is currently working at Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare. Manzano was able to enroll in the year-two nursing program at SFCC – Clinton, thanks in part to the J.C. Smith Foundation.
“I want to express my gratitude to everyone involved at the foundation for their support,” said Manzano. “As an LPN, I recognized that I could do more to improve my skills and better serve my community by earning my RN degree at State Fair Community College, and the J.C. Smith Foundation made that possible.”
