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HCC receives $25,000 from Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

May 23, 2022

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has donated $25,000 to support HCC’s Public Safety program and students. The donation was made before the HCC Board of Trustees at a meeting on May 19, 2022.

Since 2017, the longtime area organization has awarded $200,000 to the HCC Public Safety Center of Excellence and an additional $20,000 in private scholarships to HCC students. And, over the past 17 years, $1.2 million has come from the Rodeo to support HCC.

“We are grateful for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s continuous support of Houston Community College and for their leadership, vision and commitment,” said Karen Schmidt, HCC Foundation president. “We appreciate their philanthropic dedication, which is an inspiration to us all.”

Dr. Michael Edwards, president of HCC Northeast College, said the donated funds underscore the difference for good the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo makes for HCC and its students and to education in general.

“Their deep passion for education, including public safety, has helped many HCC students achieve their goal of becoming first responders,” Dr. Edwards said. “They understand that education is truly the epicenter if students are to access rewarding, in-demand and sustainable careers.”

The college’s Public Safety Center of Excellence provides programs in basic, intermediate and advanced certificates and licensing for first responder professionals. Classes include those in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement, Basic Firefighting, Emergency Medical Services, Peace Officer Licensing and In-Service Training and Fire Science and Safety.