(Butler, PA) The Butler County Community College Education Foundation, Inc. received a gift of $334,710 from the estate of E. Bertrum and Esther Shaffer.
“BC3 is honored to be included among the community and educational institutions who are beneficiaries of the Shaffer’s generosity. Both E. Bertrum and Esther Shaffer were prominent in the establishment of the College and with this gift leave a legacy that will influence BC3 far into the future,” said Nick Neupauer, BC3 President.
Mr. Shaffer was the first academic dean of the College and served as acting president on two occasions. He retired from the BC3 in 1976 and was honored with the title, Professor Emeritus.
“The Shaffer’s not only dedicated their talents to the college, they were among the first people to provide private gifts to help students at BC3," said Sue Bennitt, Chair of the BC3 Education Foundation.
In 1977, the Shaffer’s established an endowed scholarship: The E. Bertrum and Esther Shaffer Scholarship. This scholarship has benefitted BC3 students for more than 35 years. Bill Miller, the current Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences, was the first to receive this scholarship when he was a student at BC3.
Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer were both lifelong educators. Mr. Shaffer began his career as an art instructor and his artistic endeavors included designing the seal of the College. The Shaffer’s contributed original works of art to BC3 which are on display on main campus.
In recognition of the gift, the college plans to name a new walking trail on campus in honor of the Shaffer’s. A portion of the gift will also be designated for scholarship endowment.
“A gift of this magnitude from one of the key founders of the college will enhance educational opportunities for BC3 students .We are moved by the fact that as the College approaches our 50th birthday, two individuals who were part of the college at our beginning chose to pay tribute to BC3 with the largest estate gift in our history," said Ray Steffler, Chairman of the BC3 Board of Trustees.