Howard Community College

Spotlighting HCC's Long-Standing Partnership with BGE Since the early 1990's, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) has been actively supporting Howard Community College, making an annual philanthropic gift, serving as a repeat sponsor for the college's Columbia Classic Grand Prix event each fall, and also maintaining a seat on the HCC Educational Foundation board. In late 2014, Rodney Oddoye, BGE's manager of electric distribution operations for Howard, Carroll, and Montgomery Counties, assumed that position with a dual goal to further the partnership between BGE and HCC, and identify new opportunities for collaboration, moving forward. "BGE is committed to supporting educational systems that are located within our service area," said Oddoye. "I live and work in Howard County, so being involved with the college's educational foundation allows me to get actively involved in philanthropic work that is happening in my own community. It also creates a direct connection between BGE and Howard Community College, so that we can better understand priorities and needs, as well as how the dollars we are donating to the college are being used in an impactful way." In 2015, BGE will allocate $4.5 million in charitable giving to IN GIVING Spring 2015 | Pathways 19 The Howard Community College Educational Foundation, Inc. (HCCEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports Howard Community College by raising funds for student scholarships and programs. There are no administrative costs incurred, and 100 percent of all gifts go directly toward the fund designated by the donor. To discuss how you can fund pathways for HCC student success, call executive director, Missy Mattey, at 443-518-4208 or visit howardcc.edu/foundation. organizations across central Maryland. Approximately $1 million of those dollars will be designated to educational programs and initiatives spanning the geographical footprint of areas served by the company. "Our customers, our employees, and their families utilize the education systems in the areas we serve, so giving back to the schools creates a true win-win," said Oddoye. "When we think about the opportunities we have as a company to really impact our community, supporting the schools is an obvious choice." BGE is the longest-standing gas utility company in the United States; the company will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2016. WHY GIVE? "We are especially happy to support Howard Community College because of its focus on STEM education. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are fields that are closely aligned with BGE's services, and have the potential to greatly and positively impact the world we live in." – Rodney Oddoye

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