Off to a Great Start

“I’ve seen the impact of Tarrant County College on my own daughter,” explains TCC Foundation donor Renee Ware. “Samantha’s projected field of studies and ultimately her career path were altered and redirected while she was at TCC. I’m grateful for that and so is she.”

Ware’s daughter, Samantha, entered TCC in 2006 with the intent to pursue studies in science. “After I’d worked and studied so hard my first semester to get a mere ‘C’ in my Biology for Science Majors course, my English professor challenged me to rethink my field of study,” recalls Samantha. “He saw something in my composition work and my overall engagement in his class that suggested pursuing an English major might be a more satisfying direction to take.” Samantha took stock in the suggestion and then enrolled in every available English class this professor taught.

Upon graduating from TCC in 2008, she finished her bachelor’s degree at the University of North Texas and now serves as the English as a second language liaison at Huffines Middle School in Lewisville ISD. “Samantha is in a career she loves and is so well suited for her, due in large part to the intense interest of her TCC English professor,” said Ware. “That’s why I support TCC Foundation scholarships; I want other students to have the opportunities and the same tremendous and positive experiences that Samantha had. It’s important.”

Ware, a computer analyst at Lockheed Martin since 1986, has been a loyal donor to student scholarships since 2014 and has utilized her company’s very generous matching-gift program to double every gift she makes. “It is incredible how quickly the amount adds up when every contribution is matched,” she said. “I would certainly encourage all donors to investigate their respective companies’ philanthropic giving policy; I’m gratified to add even more support to scholarships because of Lockheed Martin’s gift match.”

Attending TCC Foundation scholarship dinners where she has been able to meet and visit with different scholarship recipients (some of whom are pictured) has been a highlight for Ware. She is accompanied to the dinners by her mother, who also is an ardent scholarship supporter. “I listen to the students discuss their studies, their career goals and dreams, their next steps and also the obstacles they are facing to complete their education. I am touched to feel that in a small way, my contributions are helping them reach their goals and complete their coursework at TCC. I hope each one of them finds meaningful and gratifying work and becomes a productive member of society just like my daughter has done,” she reflects.

Recognizing the value of TCC, Ware says she would recommend TCC to anyone looking to start their educational journey. “There are amazing instructors and wonderful opportunities for all at TCC. You would be off to such a great start!” she said.