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As the flowers bloom this April, we are reminded of those who make our community flourish with their belief in a better world for everyone. Each of our donors makes a difference at Santa Fe Community College (SFCC), by showing students that their dreams are attainable and can be achieved, no matter what barriers may arise. This month we want to honor the memory of a beloved member of our community, Bruce Besser, who knew firsthand what it meant to overcome barriers and dedicated his life to making sure others could too.
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A Lifelong Commitment to Helping Others
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Bruce came from humble beginnings and had to put in a lot of work to find his place in the world. At a young age he faced learning challenges, which were later diagnosed as severe dyslexia. Rather than letting that stop him, he pushed through every obstacle on his path, ultimately earning a degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business and Finance.
Carole, his wife, believes his story is a first hand account of what you can achieve if you do not give up on your dreams. She says, “Don’t let those things that are difficult, those challenges, get in the way of your success. Whether it be a vocational dream or a hardcore academic dream. You can do it.”
Through each chapter of his life, he took all that he learned and applied it to how he approached each scenario during his time as a member of the SFCC Governing Board and later as a dedicated donor.
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One area that was particularly meaningful to Bruce was supporting students through difficult moments that arise outside of school. He understood that there are many reasons that a student can be hindered in their educational pursuits, and emergencies can often be the reason why.
“Because he had to weather so many hardships himself in order to graduate from Wharton, he knew what students have to face.” Carole explains that it drove his belief of the importance of emergency scholarships so that students have the ability to “weather the storm so they can continue getting their schooling.”
Bruce was moved by the success of those he helped. This was captured best at a donor luncheon he attended, where students shared how their lives had been touched by the kindness of donors who believed in their success. Carole says, “It brought tears to Bruce’s eyes knowing that he was part of that network and part of that team that made sure that we were giving the students what they needed and that it made a difference for them.”
Bruce’s generosity touched countless lives, and we are so grateful that his path crossed with SFCC and the Foundation. His impact will continue to be felt for years to come.
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We are incredibly grateful for all those who make up our donor community. Every donor, every contribution, and every act of kindness makes a real difference in the lives of our students. Thank you for making our community bloom.
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Kelly A. Marquez, MBA
Executive Director
kelly.marquez1@sfcc.edu
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