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Dr. Michael C. Morrison

The connection between North Iowa Area Community College president Dr. Michael Morrison and his passion for providing students with access to education will not be lost when he retires later this month.  Margaret MacNider has established the Michael C. Morrison Scholarship Fund through the NIACC Foundation “in honor of Dr. Morrison’s commitment and leadership at NIACC and engagement and support of North Iowa.”

“I am simultaneously humbled, touched and appreciative of Margaret’s generous gift. It is comforting and a nice thought to know that our work to improve the lives of North Iowans continues after retirement,” Morrison said.

MacNider and her family have been long time friends and supporters of NIACC.  The gift will consist of a $60,000 endowment, which will create at least three unrestricted annual $1,000 scholarships beginning in the 2009-2010 academic year.  All students who apply for NIACC Foundation scholarships will be eligible to receive a Michael C. Morrison scholarship.  If others wish to give to the Michael C. Morrison Scholarship Fund in recognition of his contribution to NIACC and North Iowa, the resulting scholarships will grow.

“This gift by Mrs. MacNider in recognition of Dr. Morrison is a tribute to his outstanding leadership. Mrs. MacNider and the MacNider family have been exemplary philanthropists in North Iowa assisting countless projects and filling needs through many generations. Thank you for your generosity and for the leadership you demonstrate in gifting to NIACC and its future students, Mrs. MacNider. We sincerely hope others will follow your lead in supporting NIACC and its students,” Jamie T. Zanios, NIACC director of Institutional Advancement, said.

Every year students apply for scholarships and do not receive assistance due to limited funds.  This scholarship and other scholarships offered by the NIACC Foundation are an effective way to increase students’ chances of success by significantly reducing their financial burden. 

To make a contribution to the Michael C. Morrison Scholarship Fund or if would like to see how you can help secure the future of the College and its excellence through a gift to the NIACC Foundation, please contact us at 641-422-4386.  NIACC Foundation scholarship donations are tax deductible. Named scholarship endowments can be started with a minimum of $10,000 and can be added to at any time. The money is invested and 5% of the endowment funds are paid out each year, allowing for the original gift to continue growing over time.

The NIACC Foundation's mission is to support the College through scholarships, fundraising for special projects, grants for instructor education or other areas of need to help the College work toward its mission.

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