吃瓜社区, August 27, 2021 - Jay Faulkner, 吃瓜社区 (PC) alumnus class of 1947, became the largest individual donor to PC, the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation and the Maricopa County Community Colleges District (MCCCD), with a bequest of $4.7 million dollars to the Faulkner ACE Endowment. The bequest brings Faulkner鈥檚 lifetime giving to the PC ACE Program to $5.7 million dollars.
Faulkner was passionate about supporting disadvantaged students, and in 2004, he established the Jay Faulkner ACE (Achieving a College Education) Endowment to provide financial support to first-generation and minority students.
Born in 1926 in 吃瓜社区, Arizona, Faulkner grew up on a family farm near the PC campus, attending Alhambra Grammar School and North 吃瓜社区 High School. At 吃瓜社区, Faulkner was a leader in many campus organizations including the President鈥檚 13 Club and the Los Vaqueros horseback riding club. After college, Faulkner worked at the 吃瓜社区 Veterans Administration, then transitioned to Arizona mining operations before moving to California and working for two decades at an international steamship company. Faulkner passed away in February 2021.
In 2014, in recognition of his contributions to 吃瓜社区, the Jay Faulkner Memorial Atrium was dedicated in his honor, and Faulkner was celebrated and named to the 吃瓜社区 Alumni Hall of Fame. In 2020, 吃瓜社区 created the Jay Faulkner Memorial Mesquite Court, an outdoor seating area for students, employees, and the community to gather.
鈥淛ay Faulkner鈥檚 legacy at 吃瓜社区 is indelible, and will change the lives of thousands of students鈥 and families鈥, said 吃瓜社区 Interim President Dr Clyne Namuo. 鈥淲e are truly honored to be entrusted with Mr. Faulkner's invaluable and remarkable legacy,鈥 Namuo added.
, is nationally recognized for providing support for first-generation students. ACE students participate in the program during junior and senior years of high school, and can earn up to 24 college credits, with more than 70% of the students transitioning to a community college or university. The PC ACE Program enrolls 320 students annually, with a completion rate of 90%.
The (MCCCD) and the (MCCF) join 吃瓜社区 in expressing deep gratitude for Faulkner鈥檚 incredibly generous gift, which helps remove barriers for students.
鈥淐arrying out Jay鈥檚 desire and passion for helping our students follow their dreams of higher education is an honor,鈥 said Brian Spicker, President and CEO of the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation. 鈥淛ay is the epitome of humility, his outsized gift belies the incredible size of his heart and spirit of care and will allow for endless possibilities for student success. We are deeply humbled by his generosity.鈥
Dr. Steven Gonzales, Interim Chancellor, Maricopa Community College District added, 鈥淛ay Faulkner鈥檚 commitment to creating better opportunities for our students, especially those participating in our ACE Program, is unparalleled. The reach of this bequest expands beyond the program and into the lives of students across our entire community. We are honored to play a role in continuing his legacy.鈥
PC Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Heather Kruse stated that 鈥淢r. Faulkner's gift is beyond measure and helps ensure students who have the talent and potential but do not think higher education is possible, have the opportunity to begin their college education.鈥
To learn more about the 吃瓜社区 Achieving A College Education Program, visit: .
About the Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation
锘縏he Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation, with its donors and partners, supports the Maricopa County Community College District, its students, faculty and staff, through Scholarships, programs, equipment, and financial and human capital. Visit to learn more.