On behalf of the board of trustees, I would like to reiterate Collin County Community College District's mission of being a student and community centered institution. To meet the needs of both our students and our community, Collin focuses not only on developing skills but also on strengthening the character and challenging the intellect of each student.

Collin serves more than 40,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs in a wide range of disciplines. In addition, the college partners with business, government and industry to provide customized training and workforce development.

Our district is considered a leader in higher education and continues to receive numerous state and national awards. The following are examples of our achievements. For a more complete list of accomplishments, click here:

• Collin's Dual Admission program was the first in Texas to allow simultaneous enrollment at a community college and select universities (TWU, SMU, UTD, UNT, Texas A&M University-Commerce).

• Collin's Alternative Teacher Certification Program is the first of its kind in the nation and was one of only 10 in the nation to receive a Teaching By Choice Award from the American Association of Community Colleges.

• Four workforce education programs at Collin were designated as exemplary by the State of Texas -- nursing, dental hygiene, real estate, child development. The Student Development Division has also received prior commendation as exemplary.
   

• Collin was awarded a national Bellwether Award for its leading-edge Service Learning and Learning Communities programs.
   

• Collin's award-winning professors provide the keys to excellence in the classroom. The faculty includes a U.S. Professor of the Year,  four Minnie Stevens Piper Professors and two Fulbright Scholars. 

• Dance Repertory has earned three national Gala Awards in the past four years and its Theatre Program consistently ranks among the top five in the nation.

• Texas Instruments has created a $1 million endowment for Collin student SMART scholarships.

• The estate of Royden Lebrecht made an unrestricted $1 million gift to the college, which created a scholarship fund and the college's first endowed chair-the Royden L. Lebrecht Chair for the Center for Scholarly and Civic Engagement.

In the 2004-2005 academic year, the district awarded over $12 million in financial aid and scholarships. Close to $14 million in awards is projected for the 2005-2006 academic year. However, there is still a tremendous unmet need for assistance. We need your help in providing the gift of education to deserving students. Remember, every time we create a new scholarship or expand academic programs, we are not only impacting numerous students, but are also adding quality of life to our community.

To the many donors who support the Collin College Foundation, I extend my heartfelt appreciation. You know how meaningful your gifts are to our students. I encourage everyone to experience the satisfaction of knowing that their generosity will give students the opportunity to achieve a higher education.

Cary A. Israel

President