The Lower Columbia College Foundation has named Delores Rodman as the 2018-19 Benefactor of the Year.
Benefactor honorees have a history of providing charitable financial support to the foundation, and/or significant volunteer service to the college. Most notably, contributions from honorees have had major impacts on the college, its programs, students, and the community.
Delores began her career in the local community as an English teacher at Rainier High School. After teaching for a few years, she changed careers and began working in real estate with her husband Bruce at his company, the Longview Agency. After Bruce’s retirement in 1980, she opened her own real estate office, Rodman Realty. Bruce passed away in 1988.
In 2007, Delores established the Bruce E. Rodman Memorial Endowed Scholarship to honor her husband’s memory, his service on the LCC Foundation Board of Directors, and his passion for education. The scholarship provides two annual awards for first-year business majors from Washington, with a preference for first-generation college students.
“Nearly 20 students have had the opportunity to work towards their business degrees with the help of this extraordinary scholarship. LCC is fortunate to have supporters like Delores, whose gifts will continue to benefit students for years to come,” said Kendra Sprague, LCC Vice President of Foundation, HR & Legal Affairs.
Since 1992, in addition to the Bruce E. Rodman Memorial Endowed Scholarship, Delores’s contributions include the LCC Library fund and support for the greatest needs of the college. “The LCC Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to honor Delores for more than 26 years of giving and her continued support of students at LCC,” said Rich Gushman, LCC Foundation Chair.
Although Delores spends the majority of time out of state, her heart remains in Longview. As a young mother who did not have an opportunity to go to college until the age of 24, she believes LCC fills an important role in the community. “Bruce and I wanted to become promoters and helpers of young people, to help them complete their college education,” she said.
“We appreciate this opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate Delores for her ongoing commitment to education at LCC,” said LCC President Chris Bailey.
Delores will be honored at the 2019 LCC Foundation Horns & Halos Gala in September.
- For more information, please contact Kendra Sprague at (360) 442-2121 or ksprague@lowercolumbia.edu
