I AM MDC Day celebrates Miami Dade College’s tradition of providing educational opportunity to more than two million students since first opening its doors on Sept. 6, 1960. Pictured (l-r) are Mark Cole, executive director, MDC Foundation; Dr. Joaquin Martinez, president, Wolfson and Hialeah campuses; Bernie Navarro, chair, MDC Board of Trustees; Julie Grimes, chair, MDC Foundation, and Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, MDC president.
(Photo Credit: Cristian Lazzari, Miami Dade College)
Miami Dade College Foundation raised a record of $1,044,000 (and counting) for Miami Dade College (MDC) scholarships and programs that support students on its third annual I AM MDC Day, Sept. 6. The amount raised more than quadruples last year’s total of $228,543.
Donations large and small poured in from thousands of donors, including MDC alumni, staff, students and members of the community in support of the affordable, accessible, high-quality education that MDC provides. The day of giving and school pride celebrates MDC’s founding on Sept. 6, 1960.
“To say that Miami Dade College’s third annual I AM MDC Day was a success is honestly an understatement,” said MDC president Dr. Eduardo J. Padrón, an alumnus of the college. “This incredible milestone is a testament to the strength and commitment of our Shark family and would not have been possible without the generosity and good will of so many people in our community and our sponsors who believe in the critical mission of our college. This special day was truly an affirmation of the immeasurable impact MDC has had on Greater Miami and our nation.”
All I AM MDC Day proceeds will support scholarships for MDC students and programs. Notable gifts designated for important programs include $250,000 from The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation for Puerto Rican students displaced after Hurricane Maria and $100,000 from the Sprayregen Family Foundation to establish a financial assistance program for student emergencies.
The lead sponsor of this year’s I AM MDC Day was McDonald’s South Florida Operators Association. Additional sponsors were: Bank of America, BankMobile, Geico, Sprint, Shutts and Bowen, Formula 1, Publix Super Markets Charities, Whole Foods, Burgerim, and South Florida Educational Federal Credit Union.
I AM MDC Day included spirited events at all eight MDC campuses. Padrón led a kickoff ceremony at Wolfson Campus with a check presentation from McDonald’s South Florida Operators Association, remarks from alumni and students, and a vocal performance from MDC alumna, singer and 2017 America’s Got Talent semi-finalist, Yoli Mayor.
“This place is not only a Dream Factory; MDC gives opportunities to so many people and brings the community together,” said Alex de Armas, MDC alumna and WSVN 7 news anchor who was awarded the I AM MDC Day Ambassador Award. “I thank MDC for all the dreams that have become a reality and for all the opportunities given to me.”
Carolina Mendoza, a student, scholarship recipient and president of the Student Government Association at Wolfson Campus, added, “I can say that I am a living example of how, at MDC, opportunity truly does change everything. On such an important day for MDC, I know that more lives are about to be changed — just like mine.”
For more information about I AM MDC Day, visit www.mdc.edu/iammdc.
