At a banquet in San Diego on Oct. 2, GCC President Dr. John Davitt was awarded the Presidential Leadership Award by the Network of California Community College Foundations (NCCCF).

This award is presented annually to a California community college president who has proven to be outstanding in fundraising ventures for their institution.

Dr. Davitt has a track record of excellence in this field.

During his 17 years as a president of the college he has overseen $87 million worth of capital improvement on the campus and in 1999 successfully negotiated the $1 million Cimmarusti gift – the largest gift to a community college at the time.

The results of this are evident as the new science center takes shape this semester.

Dr. Davitt was also a tireless campaigner for Measure G, passed last March. This measure raised $98 million, some of which will fund, among other improvements, the much needed extra parking facilities for this campus which has seen enrollment more than double during his tenure.

“He loves this college,” said Ann Ransford, director of the GCC Foundation. “He goes that extra mile which always proves to be in the best interest of the college.”

Paul Locker, president of the Network Foundation added, “I work closely with John Davitt and witness firsthand his tireless dedication to finding and maximizing every available resource for financial support for Glendale College.”

In 1983, then-director of the first Foundation office at GCC, John Grand, began the NCCCF with a grant from the California Community Foundation. At the time the concept of a community college foundation was a novelty, but as governmental financial support has slowly decreased over the years, it has become a normal, necessary part of campus funding. program.

“He is the heart and soul of the foundation’s success,” said Ransford.