Located in the Northwest corner of Wyoming is the town of Powell, a rural community of approximately 5,000 with an economy based on agriculture, tourism, education and a re-emergence of energy-related businesses. Northwest College, a two-year community college, has been an important member of the community for almost 60 years. Those of us who work at NWC are proud to be part of this dynamic educational community. We educators know that the opportunity to receive a college education is often a life-changing experience, and that with education comes self-confidence, a new perspective of ourselves and the world around us, and employment opportunities not previously imagined. I would like to tell you about a group of NWC employees who set the example of commitment for creating educational opportunities for others.

Several years ago, the Custodial and Grounds staff at Northwest College decided to create a scholarship for NWC students. Custodial staff earn very modest wages. While they generously gave from their monthly earnings, they knew they needed additional monies to support their scholarship plan. They started small, utilizing a resource obvious to them—recycling aluminum cans. In 2004 they collected and recycled over 2000 pounds of aluminum cans and donated the proceeds to supplement their monthly payroll deduction for scholarships. Then, they added a yearly Custodial Olympics. Events range from mop bucket races to toilet paper bowling, floor buffer pad shuffle board, and toilet seat darts. Again, all proceeds are donated to student scholarships. During the summer, on Custodial Student Employee Appreciation Day (yes, they appreciate and celebrate their student workers!), they have a dunk tank. College staff pay to dunk custodians, faculty, staff and administrators. Custodial staff raised in excess of $ 4,500 to fund scholarships for 24 Northwest College students the last five years.

If your institution is looking for a new scholarship donor, it may be closer to home than you ever thought. In RMASFAA, we all have colleagues we work with every day who just need to figure out a new way to give. Luckily, NWC is blessed with dedicated and committed Custodial and Grounds staff. They come to work each day, do their jobs well, and then give even more. They understand the importance of helping others to achieve their educational goals, and they truly put their money where their mouths are.