Wednesday, March 10, 2021

Dear donors and supporters,

Last week I was moved by the stories of the WELI scholars and the stories of our courageous panelists. Indeed, all attendees were also able to learn about Superintendent/President, Dr. Raul Rodriguez’s admiration for this program and why programs like WELI play a vital role in the lives of women pursuing an education and career.

A special thank you to everyone who was able to join us and to all those who sponsored and supported! We could not be prouder of the amazing women who have been on the frontlines of the pandemic for the last 12 months and our wonderful WELI scholars.

If you missed it or wish to view it again and share, the recording is available to you by clicking here. Donations to WELI are accepted throughout the year and we hope that during this Women’s History Month you will take the opportunity to support women’s education and leadership. Click here to donate.

Since 2011, the Women’s Education and Leadership Institute (WELI) has worked to change the lives of women through summer leadership training, powerful mentorship with community leaders, on-campus student-led WELI Club, and a $2,000 scholarship.

Thank you for your continued support of our students and community.

Best regards,

Jackie Cruz

Vice President,
Advancement and Development
and Executive Director for the
Hartnell College Foundation

Do you know about the IRA Charitable Rollover?

Reduce your taxes with an IRA gift

Have you been looking for a way to make a taxwise and generous gift to charity? If you are already making annual gifts to charitable organizations like ours, and desire to do more, the good news is that you can plan to do so this year.

If you are over 70 ½ years of age, you can transfer up to $100,000 from your IRA to charity without paying any federal income tax. This gift may also be made over and above the other charitable gifts you already made this year.

Your gift can be made simply by notifying your IRA plan custodian of your intent to make a current transfer to us, or another charitable organization. And you will feel good knowing that you were able to make a generous gift from your IRA this year. For more information on making your IRA rollover gift, please contact your financial advisor. For more information on planned gift options, visit: https://hartnell.giftlegacy.com/

DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Dr. Willard and Michele Lewallen: A legacy of community and of giving

When Dr. Willard Lewallen accepted the post as superintendent/president for Hartnell College in 2012, he and his wife Michele soon realized that the Central Coast was to become their forever home.

“We fell in love with Hartnell College, the community, the people, the climate,” Dr. Lewallen said. “We were blessed to learn about the area early on to know it was our place.”

The Lewallens immersed themselves in everything that had to do with Hartnell College, including athletics, theater arts, Foundation events, student activities and more.

“We never missed a Western Stage performance,” said Dr. Lewallen. “We are athletes ourselves and so we were at just about every local game supporting the student-athletes.”

“We are a package deal,” said Michele who the community has learned to know and love. She accompanied her husband at just about every social and District event plus was always happy to entertain at their home.

For them, giving comes easy. Dr. Lewallen said that it is important to lead by example. On his first week on the job, he approached the Hartnell College Foundation to ask how he and Michele could start a recurring donation. Since then, they have become big supporters of athletics, the arts, scholarships, and have donated their timeshare in Maui to raise over $60,000 for Party in the Library.

“The goal is to strengthen families,” Michele said. “What can we do to help the lives of these students and their families?”

“Even now that we are not there, we continue to be active donors,” said Dr. Lewallen. Willard and Michele are not only active donors, but they have named Hartnell College in their Estate Plans.

In addition, in 2019, the Hartnell College Foundation voted to establish the “Willard Lewallen Scholarship,” an endowment with a starting investment of $100,000.

“I am so honored,” he said. “My commitment is to offer scholarships to undocumented students with this endowment.”

A highlight during his tenure at Hartnell was the passing of Measure T. The $167 Million bond can be seen in action in Castroville, Main Campus, Soledad, and King City.

“I have a sense of pride in getting those projects started and the impact they will have in the community,” Dr. Lewallen said.

-Click here for more on Dr. Willard and Michele Lewallen-