San Jacinto College 2012-2013 Andy Pettitte Endowed Scholarship recipients pose for a photo with Andy Pettitte. Pictured left to right: Jennifer Weise, Yazmin Gonzalez, Stephanie Heil, and Jaime Gonzalez. Photo credit: Andrea Vasquez, San Jacinto College marketing department.

Pettitte helps raise $125,000 for San Jacinto College scholarships

Andrea Vasquez-- November 27, 2012

PASADENA, Texas – The San Jacinto College Foundation added four more recipients of the Andy Pettitte Endowed Scholarship at the 17^th annual San Jacinto College Foundation Golf Tournament on Wednesday, Nov. 7, with host Andy Pettitte.

Fifty teams with a total of 190 players participated in the two rounds of golf at the Battleground Golf Course. Major sponsors for this year’s golf tournament include Coca Cola, Pam and Joe Slovacek, FMG/Haworth, Lubrizol, SpawGlass, Constellation New Energy, Higman Barge Lines, Daniel J. Snooks, Amegy Bank, Calvin Powitzky, Rizzo & Associates, and Joy Niday of Niday Flower Shop Inc.

Guests for the evening reception were welcomed by music from the San Jacinto College steel drum band as they entered the reception lobby to view and bid on the silent auction items. Dinner for the evening was also prepared by students in the San Jacinto College culinary program.

The late C. Wayne Slovacek, former board of trustees member and golf tournament founder, was honored at this year’s event for his years of commitment and dedication to San Jacinto College student success. Guests shared in a tearful moment of silence as Andy Pettitte remembered Slovacek saying, “What a man.”

Slovacek’s vision and mission continued on as students Jaime Gonzalez, Yazmin Gonzalez, Jennifer Weise, and Stephanie Heil were named the 2012-2013 recipients of the Andy Pettitte Endowed Scholarship. Jaime Gonzalez is currently finishing his associate degree in applied science in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) program. Yazmin Gonzalez is also looking to complete her associate degree in the College’s dental assisting program, with hopes to transfer to the University of Houston pre-dental program. Heil is currently completing courses in the education program and wants to become a second grade teacher. Weise, who is applying for the College’s physical therapy program, addressed the guests with her story on how San Jacinto College gave her a new future after 30 years in industrial sales was cut short when she was laid off.

“The kindness of strangers amazes me,” said Weise. “They just never know how much of a difference they make when they donate to provide scholarships for students. This is my first attempt at college, and receiving the Andy Pettitte scholarship has really made me fall in love with education.” At 57 years old, Weise said choosing the physical therapy program was easy, since she has always wanted an opportunity where she can nurture and help others.

This year’s event raised a total net amount of $125,000 for student scholarships. The live auction and scholarship auction alone raised $37,900, and the silent auction brought in $5,500.

“All of us at the San Jacinto College Foundation are grateful for our college and community supporters for the success of our 17^th Annual Golf Tournament,” said Ruth Keenan, San Jacinto College Foundation executive director for advancement. “Particularly, we are indebted to the support of Andy and Laura Pettitte, Joe Slovacek, and Coke Cola. This year we honored the memory of Wayne Slovacek, our golf tournament founder and greatest crusader of support. We are delighted to have raised over $125,000 for student scholarships this year, an increase over our previous year total. Scholarships provide the fuel for students to succeed in reaching their dreams of education. As we invest in them, we invest in a brighter future for our communities.”

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.