LEHIGH CARBON COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MARCH 19, 2014
Pursuant to Article IV§5 of the bylaws of the LCCC Foundation, notice was given at least
twenty-four (24) hours prior to the hour and date set for the meeting.
Board Members Present: Ellen Millard-Kern — board chair, Annabelle Creveling — trustee
representative, Jan Creedon, Robin Flores, Ron Glass, Rick Kern, Chris Jordan, Ron Neimeyer,
Thom Oleksa —finance and investment committee chair, Mark Thompson. (10)
Board Members Present by Proxy: Tony Boyle. (1)
Excused: John Cathers, Jr., Kathy Kovatch-Reaman — vice-chair & secretary, Buddy Lesavoy,
David Lobach, Kent Newhart, Dale Roth, Christina Schoemaker, Betty Smith and Willard Snyder.
Four vacancies exist on the Board at this time.
Present ex officio: Dr. Ann Bieber —Interim President of Lehigh Carbon Community College
Tim J. Herrlinger, Executive Director of the Foundation
College Staff Present: Sean Dallas, Executive Director of College Relations
Jane Wilchak, Special Events Manager /Alumni Relations
Tracy Bean, Administrative Secretary to the Sr. Vice President, the Vice
President of Finance and Facilities and to the Foundation
Executive Director
Guests:
 Cornerstone Investment Advisors: Chris Lakatosh and Trevor Reid
MINUTES
Item 1.
No quorum being present, the meeting was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by Board
Chair Ellen Millard-Kern. In advance of a quorum, the report from the Interim President was
heard. During the report, quorum was reached with the arrival of Ms. Creveling.
Dr. Bieber noted that Phase II of the renovation of the Administration building, now called
the Student Services Center, was concluding and Phase III beginning, the project to be
completed by Labor Day (Monday, September 1, 2014).
The college’s 2014-2015 budget was approved by the trustees. LCCC conservatively
estimated a 1% increase in enrollment, reflecting trends across the state in community
college enrollment, which is down. Sister community colleges have experienced a decline in
enrollment overall anywhere from 2% to 10%. There are many enrollment initiatives
underway for the fall. Tuition and fees from enrollment comprise 45% of the college’s
operating budget, so enrollment is a critical issue.
Dr. Bieber mentioned the initiative with the college’s 4 year partners. Kutztown University
and Bloomsburg University have transition programs that allow LCCC students who cannot
meet entrance requirements for BU or KU to live on their respective campuses in the dorms
and still take LCCC courses from LCCC instructors. After two years, the student matriculates
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into the 4-year school through their transition program. The programs are expected to begin
in the fall.
Kutztown University’s President Javier Cevallos will be talking with Dr. Bieber and the
college about awarding “reverse degrees” to students who attended LCCC but never finished,
and are now attending KU and may have earned enough credits to be awarded an associate’s
degree from LCCC. This allows the student to have a tangible degree in hand even if they do
not complete KU.
Dr. Ann M. Williams, Chancellor of the Penn State Lehigh Valley campus, and her team are
interested in talking with the college to discuss transfer opportunities as well. Dr. Bieber said
that Dr. Williams, who has been at PSU for about 12 years, comes from Luzerne County
Community College and recognizes the value of community colleges.
Item 2.
A quorum now being present, the Chair called for a motion to suspend reading of
and to approve the minutes of December 11, 2013.
Motion to suspend the reading of the minutes and to approve the minutes of the December 11,
2013 meeting by Mr. Neimeyer. Second by Ms. Creveling. Unanimous approval.
Item 3.
The Chair recognized Thom Oleksa with the Treasurer’s and F&I committee
report. Mr. Oleksa reviewed the Profit and Loss and Balance Sheets and Mr. Herrlinger
noted that annual unrestricted giving and alumni activities were both higher than last year, as
are the overall annual giving numbers. The Finance and Investment Committee
recommended approval of these reports.
Item 4.
The Chair invited Chris Lakatosh of Cornerstone to provide a brief summary of
the investments performance. Mr. Lakatosh noted that the $2 million in income over the last
year was largely from pledge payments for the Rothrock Library Fund, the radio station fund,
and the final Scheller scholarship payment. In addition, the $800,000 investment return for
the year, made 2013 a banner year for the portfolio with a 15.63% increase in value. Growth
to date since inception (beginning in 2009) has been 17.4% -- a strikingly good return on
investment.
Cornerstone is cautiously optimistic about the future, noting an increasing risk that the
market will correct itself at the 10% level or greater. Mr. Lakatosh said that there seems to be
complacency in the market and we have experienced the fifth longest time without a ten
percent market correction in market history. He cautioned that corrections could take place
in 2014 and said he would welcome it, as corrections stabilize and add balance to the market.
He cautioned that given the Foundation’s protective IPS (Investment Policy Statement) the
fluctuation in worst case scenarios would be expected not to exceed 13% over one year and a
2.4% correction over 5 years. As a risk manager, Cornerstone is moving even more
aggressively to add to fixed income as a protective measure against the inevitable market
correction. Mr. Lakatosh commended the Finance and Investment Committee and Mr.
Herrlinger for their work generating income.
Motion to approve the Treasurer’s and Finance and Investment Committee reports in their
entirety by Mr. Kern. Second by Mr. Thompson. Unanimous approval.
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Item 5.
The Chair recognized Robin Flores who gave the events and alumni reports. Ms.
Flores noted that the flyer for the 11th Annual Scholarship Clay Shoot was in the packets
provided for the meeting, and that as of today 39, shooters were registered and $9,050 in
sponsorships funds had been received. Jane Wilchak noted that this was “on target”
compared to last year’s numbers.
Ms. Flores reminded the board that the 3rd Annual Scholarship Fall Festival will be held on
November 7 & 8 with a VIP reception planned for the evening of the 7th. $3,050 has been
received already in sponsorships.
Ms. Flores noted that the schedule (attached) for the alumni association events planned for
the coming year included twice the number of events as held in the past, including for the
second year in a row, the successful volunteer event at Musikfest. She noted that there are
now 13 members of the alumni association board.
Ms. Wilchak noted that she had been contacted by the Purdue University Alumni Association
which had invited the LCCC Alumni Association to join in a food drive, which they have
done. Second Harvest is the recipient organization of food and contributions on behalf of the
college. This program is ongoing. A link will be sent to the Board upon receipt from the
Alumni Association.
Item 6.
Mark Thompson provided the Golf report. He noted that the 21st annual
scholarship golf classic will be held Monday August 4, 2014 at Woodstone golf course, the
second year in a row for this course. Last year’s classic enjoyed spectacular weather and the
course was in great shape. There are currently 17 golfers signed up and $10,700 from 9
company sponsors, including a first time sponsorship (Lunch Sponsor) from the Sands Resort
Casino in Bethlehem.
Item 7.
Sean Dallas presented the College Relations report. The Value campaign that has
been going on for 18 months continues, with slight variations such as the superhero theme.
The second graphic novel is coming out soon. Two will be done and then the college will
move on. The Chair noted the significant reception of the first novel and how unique and
noticeable this made the college. A new athletics web site is ready to launch in early April
and College Relations will be participating in the dedication of the new athletic fields around
that time. Vine and Instagram have been added to the college’s social media sites. New
signage and information will become available in Jim Thorpe and Tamaqua to raise the
college’s visibility in those areas.
Item 8.
Mr. Herrlinger reported that the trees have been removed from 4532 PA RT. 309
and the asbestos abatement is nearly complete. The demolition can begin in earnest after the
acceptance of the abatement report by DEP. As of now, things are moving ahead of schedule.
Item 9.
The Interim President discussed the Carbon site status, and the demographics and
potential population of the area may not cover operating costs for a newly-built site.
Item 10.
The Chair, who is participating on the presidential search committee, said there
are about 29 applicants. The committee will begin filtering through the applications to
determine who will receive initial Skype interviews. The three strongest candidates will be
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invited for campus interviews. Expectations are that a selection could be made by the end of
spring.
Item 11.
The Chair recognized Dr. Ann Bieber for “taking the reins” and effecting such a
smooth transition after Don Snyder’s retirement. On behalf of the Foundation, the Chair
extended her appreciation for everything the Interim President has done and continues to do.
Item 12.
There being no other business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:18 a.m.
The next meeting of the LCCC Foundation Board will be held Wednesday, June 18, 2014 on
the Schnecksville campus of the College. More details will be released in the near future.
Next Page: Alumni Association schedule
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Alumni Events and Volunteer Opportunities:
March 20 –Learn to dance Argentine Tango, the most passionate dance on the planet.
At the Baum School of Art.
March 27 – Job Fair, Community Services Center, Main Campus, Schnecksville
April 11 – First Friday night game at Iron Pigs with fireworks. You may purchase tickets
by logging on to www.milb.com/tickets.
April 12 – Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, Community Services Center, Schnecksville.
April 25 – Scholarship Clay Shoot at the Lehigh Valley Sporting Clays (volunteer
opportunities)
May 14 – Commencement (volunteer opportunities)
June 14 – Bear Rock Junction family fun night (Sponsored by Nationwide Insurance)
June 28 – Rain Date
July 20 – Jim Thorpe River Adventures, dam release weekend (meet up afterwards at
the River Walck Saloon in Lehighton)
August 4 – Scholarship Golf Classic at Woodstone Country Club (volunteers needed)
August 7 – Musikfest (volunteer opportunities)
August 24 – Commencement (volunteer opportunities)
September 20 – LCCC Staff & Alumni day at the Lehigh Valley Zoo
November 7 & 8 – Fall Festival
(Volunteer opportunities)
December 6 – NYC Bus Trip
December 21 – Commencement (Volunteer opportunities)
January 3 – LCCC Alumni Basketball game, men and women. (Volunteer and playing
opportunities)
January 25 - Purse Bingo
February 8 – Rain Date
For more information please contact Jane Wilchak at jwilchak@lccc.edu or
610-799-1929.
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