Create a Lasting Educational Legacy

Read David's Story

David Harris knows he doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who needs help paying for gas.

He’s 46 with a family and a fiancee, and has a four-year degree with 17 years of experience in that field.

But life changes forced a pivot for Harris and prompted him to begin studying diagnostic imaging through Linn-Benton Community College. He’s now driving 120 miles round-trip each day from his home in Bay City, near Tillamook, to his clinic work in Astoria. And that’s where LBCC’s Foundation has been able to provide emergency help.

“[The Emergency Fund] - financial assistance, food assistance, all the different things the LBCC Foundation can help with - is so important,” Harris said. “I’m a testament to that and I’m not necessarily a person you would think would need that.”

Harris grew up in Southern California and got a degree in environmental science from the University of California at Santa Barbara. He loved the job, but when the rest of his extended family relocated to Oregon a little more than a decade ago, he decided to come, too.

Harris was hired at a nonprofit in Tillamook, but left in 2015 after a series of personnel

challenges. That left him looking for a new direction. Personal events also hit him hard during that time. Cancer and complications from diabetes took both of Harris’ parents in the next few years, and then in 2019, Harris himself was diagnosed with cancer. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation and has been in remission since that year, but it was another factor in revising his life goals.

Harris’ fiancee, an emergency room nurse he’d met while working as a volunteer firefighter, suggested he explore radiology. He loved the idea of working in a scientific field again, and of being able to help people who were going through their own medical crisis. “That really checked a lot of boxes for me,” Harris said. “Technology, helping people - that’s kind of where it all came together.”

Harris took some prerequisites at Portland Community College to qualify for Linn-Benton’s distance program. “The beauty was, I could do that,” he said. “I could stay home with my family and not have to relocate.”

Financing his education was the challenge, however. Harris took out loans to help with the PCC prerequisites and the LBCC program, but “that pretty much burned through every kind of savings I had,” he said.

Scholarships and the community college’s SNAP Training and Employment Program, which provides career assistance, have been critical, Harris said. His STEP coach was the first to mention the emergency fund to help offset his fuel costs. “I didn’t know it existed,” Harris said. “It’s an amazing resource.”

Now in his second year of the program, Harris will be doing clinical work until spring. After that, he’ll train to be an X-ray technologist, then evaluate his choices. “The motivating factor is to help a rural community out,” he said. “The field is short of people as it is, but even more so for a rural area.”

He also wants to "pay it forward," he said, after his own health crisis. “The greatest lesson I learned was how it is to feel so vulnerable and hurt and sick. It really opens your eyes to what people are going through. You really don’t know what people are struggling with.”

Harris said he wants people who donate to the LBCC Foundation to know how much they have mattered to his life. Losing his parents and his job and going through a personal health scare changed everything. Even $1,000 makes a huge difference.

“It makes me even more grateful for the support,” he said. “You never know who’s going to need this.”

Read Q's Story

At first glance, Q Ewing’s journey from aspiring U.S. Marine to automotive mechanic may seem unconventional, but it's a story of resilience, passion, and the transformative power of education.

As a student at Linn-Benton Community College, Q’s story is not only inspiring but also a

testament to the support provided by the LBCC Foundation. Originally from Boise, Idaho, Q moved to Oregon in eighth grade when his mother secured a job as a realtor. Although initially planning to join the Marines, chronic asthma thwarted his ambitions despite fighting for nearly four months to meet the physical requirements without medication. His backup plan led him to LBCC, a decision that has profoundly shaped his life.

"I didn't know what to go for initially," Q recalls. "But then a teacher mentioned the automotive mechanic program, and it seemed convenient. I was worried about pursuing something I wouldn't enjoy, but this felt right."

LBCC's automotive program turned out to be a perfect fit for Q, who had always found

mechanical physics fascinating. "I really fell in love with working on cars. They are more

accessible, and I can help people in my life. I can spread my knowledge, love, and appreciation for people, especially if they need help with their car."

Q's passion for mechanics is deeply rooted in his childhood memories of his father. "Growing up, my dad was that guy. He went around the neighborhood checking on people’s cars, rebuilding lawnmower engines. That gave me a perspective on life – if you take care of yourself, and the things and people around you, life can be really enjoyable. I want to spread that and help people out."

The financial support from the LBCC Foundation played a crucial role in Q's educational

journey. He received the Roundhouse Tool Grant, which covered the cost of essential tools for his automotive program. "I was going to have to pay $1500 per term for tools. The Oregon Promise didn't cover it. I literally had $1500 saved in my bank account, ready to drop for the first term. I paid out of pocket and then got the money back, thanks to the grant." Q’s drive and determination also led him to secure a job as a mechanic at Aamco in Lebanon while still in school. "I'm actually pulling transmissions and doing much more than I was as a lube technician at a car dealership in Corvallis. It's awesome to have all the correct tools, thanks to the grant."

Prior to coming to LBCC, Q had no idea what to expect. He thought the college only offered core classes like math and science and was surprised by the multitude of program offerings. “For anyone considering LBCC, there are a lot of options, said Q. “Don’t think you’re limited. This school can open up new doors for you like it did for me."

Living in Corvallis and commuting to Lebanon for work, Q’s dedication is evident. He gets up at 5:30 AM to ensure he’s on time for his job. His story is one of many at LBCC, illustrating how the college and the foundation's support can help students overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams.

Q is now a sophomore, fully immersed in his two-year program, working towards an associate's degree in automotive technology. He hopes his story will inspire others to pursue their passions and take advantage of the opportunities provided by institutions like LBCC and its Foundation.

"I just pulled a transmission today. It took me four hours. It's awesome," Q shares with a smile. His journey is far from over, but with the support of the LBCC Foundation and his unwavering determination, Q is well on his way to a fulfilling career in automotive mechanics.

Read Crystal's Story

Community partners like Willamette Valley Bank are crucial to helping the Linn-Benton

Community College Foundation support students.

This year, Willamette Valley Bank sponsored the VIP room at LBCC’s Night at the Corvallis Knights Baseball and presented a $1,000 scholarship during the game. They were also the presenting sponsor at the Foundation’s Monte Carlo Night fundraiser in 2024 and 2025.

“I’ve just kind of grown my partnership with the LBCC Foundation,” said Crystal Tyndall,

Willamette Valley Bank Albany Branch Manager. “We like to support the community in any way we can.”

While the goal is to raise money and build community, joining in the festivities is an added perk. “It was so much fun,” Tyndall said of this year’s Monte Carlo Night. “We had the greatest time. Even the following week, my team and I chatted about it and are excited about next year.”

It’s important to the team at Willamette Valley Bank, and to Tyndall personally, to support

students in continuing their education. Sponsoring and contributing to LBCC Foundation events helps them do that while strengthening community connections.

The LBCC Foundation provides emergency assistance, scholarships, and program support to help students overcome financial barriers. “The funds do go to help students,” Tyndall said. “Whether it’s to get dinner or a bus pass to get to school.” Tyndall learned about LBCC’s variety of programs during a tour with Leadership Albany. She is glad when she has the opportunity to encourage people to explore the options at LBCC.

“I feel like a lot of people don’t know about the amazing programs they have to offer,” Tyndall said. “There are a lot of good programs involving the trades, like welding. Not only are you working toward your degree, but they’re helping you get a job.”

She appreciates that in addition to the two-year programs like culinary arts and nursing,

students can enroll in certificate programs or take individual classes. Tyndall said any time she’s in front of students, she asks if they have a plan. And she always

asks if they’ve considered LBCC.

“I think a lot of people in the community care about nonprofits, like the LBCC Foundation, and students,” Tyndall said. “Especially if they know what the LBCC Foundation does and what they do for the students. I’m very happy with the partnership that we have.”

Read The GO Bags' Story

Steven Broncheau couldn’t sleep.

It was late October 2025 and the federal government was headed for a shutdown. Lawmakers said no payments for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program - the benefit program known as SNAP - would be distributed for November. Broncheau, the Executive Director of the Linn-Benton Community College Foundation, knew that meant trouble for LB students, one in six of whom depend on SNAP for food each month.

“I kept thinking, what are these students going to do?” he said. “We’ve got to do something.”

Justin Williams, the Sponsorships and Events Manager for both the college and the Foundation, had brought in a new Foundation partner, Grocery Outlet of Albany. The store had provided bread, cheese and water for the Foundation’s Grilled Cheese Roadshow in the fall of 2024 and 2025 to promote the fall scholarship cycle and raise awareness about food insecurity. With that same insecurity about to hit students hard, Williams suggested calling on them again again.

Broncheau and Williams had an informal discussion with store representatives that Monday, October 27. They met again on Wednesday for a formal planning session. And by Friday, Williams said, “We were packing bags.”

The Foundation spent $15,000 from its Give Hope Fund to fill reusable bags and paper grocery bags with a variety of foods to help students get through the SNAP shortage. Grocery Outlet provided everything at cost, helped pack bags and allowed the Foundation to purchase bulk items, such as canned goods, to divide among the recipients.

Bags were filled with items that would make multiple meals - pasta and sauce, for instance - as well as things that would be easy to prepare, such as bread and peanut butter, for students without access to kitchens. Each bag also held fresh fruit and a few snack items, such as granola bars and toaster pastries.

“We didn’t know how long the SNAP cut was going to last,” Williams said. “We wanted to make sure we were helping students the most that we could.” With the funds and help from Grocery Outlet of Albany, the Foundation was able to provide 200 students each with three bags full of food, along with a case of ramen and a $50 gift card to Safeway for meat, milk, cheese and other perishables.

Additional donations allowed the Foundation to spend about another $5,000 from designated funds through the Oregon Community Foundation to give out gift cards to 80 more students.

The plan was to move quickly, Broncheau said. He didn’t want any students who missed the SNAP cutoff announcement to suddenly find themselves stranded at the grocery cashier with no way to pay, and he knew food banks and other emergency supply resources would be hit hard.

“I definitely am proud of the team for being able to plan and orchestrate this so fast,” he said.

The Hope Center for College, Community and Justice, a global nonprofit based in Philadelphia, surveyed Oregon community college students in 2019. More than one in three statewide reported running short on food, and more than one in four said they went hungry. At LBCC specifically, almost half of the respondents said they had faced food insecurity in the past 30 days.

That’s during normal times, Broncheau pointed out. “This is an emergency that we see every day with students, and [the SNAP cutoff] was only going to compound it.” “SNAP isn’t a feast,” he went on. “It doesn’t even really cover every day. To have what little you

do get taken away? Now we have to step up.” Added Williams: “Our role is to make sure there are no barriers, so students can focus on their education. You can’t focus on a test while your stomach is growling.”

Donations to the Give Hope Fund and other emergency funds are what made the food bags possible, Williams said. “It’s so we can help at a moment’s notice if we need to.”

Contributions can be made through the Foundation website at linnbenton.edu/foundation or by visiting the office on the Albany campus.

“Emergencies are never planned,” Broncheau said, “but always happen.”