DENVER, Colo., March 1, 2016 - At its first annual Breakfast of Champions scholarship celebration, the Community College of Denver (CCD) Foundation presented Lt. Governor Joe Garcia with its “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his tireless work on behalf of higher education in Colorado and, especially, traditionally underserved students. The CCD Foundation chose to recognize Lt. Governor Garcia because of his support of CCD and the majority of CCD students who are underserved.

Prior to his current dual role as both Lt. Governor and executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, Lt. Governor Garcia was president of Colorado State University, Pueblo, served on the Board of Trustees for the Higher Learning Commission and was president of Pikes Peak Community College.

Included in its lifetime achievement award, the CCD Foundation has established the annual Lt. Governor Joe Garcia scholarship for a CCD student dedicated to completing an education and pursuing a career supporting those facing similar challenges.

“Given the Lt. Governor’s strong commitment, we can’t imagine a better way to honor him than to name and award a scholarship on his behalf,” said Francie Anhut, Executive Director, CCD Foundation. “Many underserved CCD students who have overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges to succeed have a strong passion for helping others do the same. This scholarship will recognize the spark that Lt. Governor Garcia helped to start and students paying it forward to provide a hand up to others.”

Lt. Governor Garcia will leave his current post after the legislative session is concluded in May and will become the president of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE). In that role, he will advocate across a sixteen state western region for educational opportunity and success.

The CCD Foundation Breakfast of Champions annual event honors the Foundation’s scholarship donors and the recipients they support. It was held on Tuesday March 1st in the Tivoli Turnhalle on the Auraria campus.

About CCD

With nearly 8,000 students, the Community College of Denver is located on the vibrant Auraria Campus in downtown Denver. As a leading point of entry to higher education for the city and county of Denver, CCD offers small-class sizes and flexible schedules, career and academic programs, award-winning professors, extensive advisory and support services, world-class facilities, easy access via RTD light rail, and affordable tuition. CCD is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution and is one of 13 community colleges in the Colorado Community College System (CCCS). Learn more at www.CCD.edu.

About CCD Foundation

The Community College of Denver Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on engaging individuals, foundations, and corporations in supporting CCD in its commitment to be the most welcoming, diverse, and excellent community college in the metro-Denver area. Through scholarships to students, programmatic and faculty support, and capital enhancements, the Foundation invests in deserving CCD students—ensuring they have access to a high-quality, relevant education. Learn more at CCD-Foundation.org.