The Danville Community College Educational Foundation (DCCEF) is pleased to announce the receipt of an approximate $3 million bequest from the estate of John A. Bostian and Iris P. Bostian.
In 1979, Joseph Alexander Bostian, only child of John and Iris Bostian, embarked on his educational journey as an HVAC student at Danville Community College. Buddy Clayton, retired Air Conditioning and Refrigeration instructor who remembers Joseph fondly stated, “Joseph was an exemplary student, maintaining a 4.0 GPA during his time at DCC, until his life was tragically cut short in a traffic accident in September, 1980. Joseph was well-liked by his classmates and by the DCC instructors.” While Joseph’s life ended much too soon, this remarkable act of generosity from his parents will forever memorialize their son, Joseph Alexander Bostian, and leave an enduring legacy of support for DCC students pursuing their own dreams of higher education.
Shannon Hair, Vice President of Institutional Advancement and Development and Executive Director of the Danville Community College Educational Foundation, expressed the significance of this generous donation, stating, "This news, while amazing when you consider the opportunities it will provide for our students, comes with emotion. The tragedy Mr. and Mrs. Bostian endured in losing their only child is hard to fathom, however, these parents chose to turn their personal tragedy into an amazing opportunity for so many others to pursue their own path of higher education at Danville Community College. Their generosity and foresight in planning stands as a testament to the undying love they had for their son, Joseph, who died 43 years ago this month.”
The bequest from the Bostian estate will be established as an endowment, with its earnings generating approximately $150,000 annually in scholarship support. These funds will be used to provide vital financial support to DCC students, assisting them with tuition costs, purchasing textbooks, and acquiring necessary supplies. This generous endowment will undoubtedly ease the financial burdens that many students face, ensuring they have the resources needed to pursue their education at Danville Community College.
Shannon Hair further emphasized the profound impact of this endowment, saying, "The Bostian family's legacy will live on through the opportunities this endowment creates for future generations of students. Their selflessness will empower countless individuals to achieve their educational goals and build brighter futures. I have been associated with Danville Community College since I was 18 years old, first as a student, then serving on multiple advisory committees and the alumni association, and finally as an administrator at the college. After today’s news, I am reminded once again of the positive impact this college has made on the lives of so many which, at times, is difficult to measure or comprehend.”
The Danville Community College Educational Foundation extends its heartfelt gratitude to the Bostian family for their extraordinary commitment to higher education and their dedication to honoring the memory of Joseph Alexander Bostian. This generous gift serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of giving within the community and the transformative power of education. The DCCEF is committed to ensuring that the Bostian family's legacy thrives, and that their generosity continues to impact the lives of students for generations to come.
For more information about the Danville Community College Educational Foundation and its mission to support student success, please visit danville.edu.
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