Supporting Student Success: Two Families Gift $45,000 to GCC Foundation

Deptford Twp. – The Gloucester County College Foundation received $45,000 in the form of three scholarship endowments thanks to the gracious donations of William A. Runner Jr. and Michael Sharp.

Runner, of Shavertown, Pa., donated $25,000 to the College to honor his late parents William Sr. and Mellisa and their commitment to education. Prior to raising their eight children in Woodbury, William Sr. attended the Southern Normal School in Bowling Green Kentucky. Although Mellisa never completed high school, she eventually enrolled in Glassboro State College to receive her equivalency diploma.

Education has always been a top priority in the family. Runner and his seven siblings all obtained professional certificates or degrees in various fields including business, nursing and of course, teaching – all with the encouragement and direction of their parents. Runner is a graduate of the prestigious Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

“We at Gloucester County College want to thank Mr. Runner for this generous donation,” said Foundation President Robert McErlane. “In creating a lasting legacy for his parents, he is providing much-needed scholarship opportunities for a number of students in the years to come.” 

Sharp, a graduate of GCC, gifted $20,000 to create two scholarship endowments that will also perpetuate the legacy of his late mother Eileen and brother Bruce.  Eileen, of Mullica Hill, presided as director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at GCC for more than 12 years. She played an instrumental role in securing space on-campus for the Gloucester County Volunteer Center, which places students into community-service positions. Bruce, of Harrison Township, was a well-known friendly face at the Delaware Valley Wholesale Florist where he spent most of his career.

“It is a privilege to be able to give this money to Gloucester County College. I discussed this with my mother when she was still alive, it was something she wanted,” said Sharp. “I know she found herself while working here.”

The College Foundation’s endowment funds now exceed $1 million and it possesses total assets in excess of $3 million.

GCC’s 250-acre campus is located at 1400 Tanyard Road in Deptford, right off Exit 56 of Route 55.