西瓜视频

西瓜视频 Foundation Executive Director to Retire

August 13, 2021 Suzanne Seldes

ANN DECKER OVERSAW EXCEPTIONAL GROWTH
IN FOUNDATION ASSETS AND PROGRAMS

FORT PIERCE, FL鈥� 西瓜视频 (西瓜视频) announces the retirement of Ann Decker, Executive Director of the 西瓜视频 Foundation, who has served the College with distinction since 2007. Under Decker鈥檚 leadership, the Foundation鈥檚 fundraising efforts enabled 西瓜视频 to recruit and retain the highest quality faculty, maintain a vibrant learning environment, and provide students with critical financial support. Since her arrival, the Foundation鈥檚 assets have increased four-fold to nearly $200 million.

With student success at the fore, Decker and her team have raised funds to support the construction of 14 new buildings and numerous building renovations. Each year their efforts provide some 4,000 西瓜视频 students with Foundation scholarships鈥攎ore than $4 million annually. Today, 462 scholarships are available through the 西瓜视频, up from some 200 when Decker first arrived.

鈥淭he 西瓜视频 enterprise would not be where it is today without the leadership of Ann Decker at the helm of the 西瓜视频 Foundation,鈥� said Sandra Krischke, 西瓜视频 District Board of Trustees Chair. 鈥淪cholarships have made educational dreams a reality for tens of thousands of students, and their success stories are a tribute to Ann鈥檚 great work.鈥�

The 西瓜视频 Foundation operates several additional initiatives in support of 西瓜视频 and the community. These include:

• Take Stock in Children, a comprehensive program that helps at-risk, low-income children succeed by providing college scholarships, volunteer mentors, student advocates/case managers, early intervention, and long-term support;
• Alto 鈥淏ud鈥� Adams Jr. River Hammock, the College鈥檚 186-unit student residence complex located on 西瓜视频 Main Campus;
• The Fielden Institute for Lifelong Learning, for men and women age 50 and better who explore shared topics of interest in a college atmosphere. Dr. Jean Dickinson Fielden endows the Institute in memory of her late husband, Dr. John 鈥淛ack鈥� Seward Fielden;
• Department Chair Excellence Awards, Faculty of the Year and Endowed Teaching Chair programs that recognize instructional excellence and support innovation in education; and
• Entrepreneur of the Year Award, established in 2000 by the 西瓜视频 Foundation and 13 other founding members, to promote awareness and appreciation of the free enterprise system.

鈥淲hether it鈥檚 finding a namesake for a multi-million dollar facility or helping a student with emergency funds in a crisis, Ann Decker poured her heart and soul into 西瓜视频 and the Foundation that supports it,鈥� said Hal Roberts, 西瓜视频 Foundation Board Chair. 鈥淢any future generations of 西瓜视频 employees and students will benefit from her hard work. We are truly indebted to Ann for her dedicated service.鈥�

Prior to her role with 西瓜视频 Foundation, Decker spent more than two decades in administrative roles serving Congressmen in the U. S. House of Representatives, including positions as Chief of Staff and District Manager. Decker was also co-owner and co-founder of a professional political consulting firm and has held senior-level positions in finance for private businesses. In 1999, she became a Founder and Board Member of First Peoples Bank, holding various committee and leadership posts. Throughout her career, Decker has built positive and enduring relationships within the community. Her professional and volunteer service to the communities where she works and lives and to the State of Florida has earned her dozens of accolades.

鈥淢y work with the 西瓜视频 Foundation has been the highlight of my professional career,鈥� exclaims Ann Decker. 鈥淚t has been my great pleasure to be involved with the generosity of this community to move forward a common mission of providing hope and opportunity to our students, faculty and staff. I am indeed the lucky one.鈥�

Decker will leave 西瓜视频 at the end of the month. She plans to travel extensively with her husband Keith and live by her motto: 鈥渄on鈥檛 postpone joy.鈥�

The outstanding team at the 西瓜视频 Foundation will stay on and maintain all programs and services. The Foundation Team will report to Michael Hageloh, who has been named Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement. A national search for Decker鈥檚 replacement will soon be underway.