Legacy Wall

Gregory Adams, class of 1970, participated in a study abroad program while attending Phoenix College, and spent four weeks living and learning in Toledo, Spain.  Greg went on to graduate from Northern Arizona University, served in the Peace Corps, and had an impressive 31-year career as a diplomat with the U.S. Department of State. Looking for a way to honor his experience, Greg created the Adams Study Abroad Fellowship to provide PC students life-changing opportunities.

John C. Alnutt, PC Alumnus, made a gift through his estate to create the John C. Alnutt Endowment scholarship fund.

Peter Banko, Class of 1964, was Student Body President, awarded the Rosenzweig prize as Outstanding Student of his graduating class, and granted the Experiment in International Living Scholarship to live and study in Argentina. He went on to graduate from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and the Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management. He served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Iran, where he taught at the University of Tehran’s Graduate School of International Studies. He had a 35-year career in international banking and finance. He lived overseas in Beirut, London, Tehran, Bahrain, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Tokyo. He has endowed a scholarship for PC students transferring to a university program as either an undergraduate or graduate student pursuing an international career. The scholarship can be available for up to two (2) consecutive years, depending on specific scholastic standards.

Helen Crowley, class of 1955, established the Helen Crowley Endowment to support non-resident Phoenix College Preparatory Academy students.

Dr. David Dalby left his entire estate to PC for student scholarships, representing the largest single gift made to the college at the time the building was dedicated in 2000. The Dalby Building was named in his honor.

Eric Diaz is a business owner and entrepreneur in the marketing and technology industries. He owns Coworking, which provides affordable office space to 20 central-Phoenix small businesses. He teaches social media at Phoenix College. Katelyn Harris Lange is a community connector and writer with a passion for economic mobility. She’s partnered with executive clients across industries to recruit top talent, streamline recruiting processes, and served as an active contributor to the communications team.

Together, Eric & Katelyn established the Bet On Yourself Scholarship supporting Black, Hispanic and Indigenous students at PC.

Leo J. Dominguez, class of 1939, lettered in football and track and was a member of the Tau Omega fraternity and 13 Club. He and his wife started the Leo & Jayne Dominguez Scholarship to support education majors.

In 2022, Residential Faculty and Chair of Communication, Reading, American Sign Language and Education – Rody Randon passed away. To honor his work and that which he valued, a memorial endowed scholarship was established in Rody’s honor to support Phoenix College students. 

The Dougherty Foundation, a private foundation awarding scholarships to Arizona college students, generously matched donations made by PC faculty and staff to create the Rody Randon Memorial Scholarship. The Dougherty Foundation works with community donors and partner colleges who share the vision to provide much needed financial aid to help students reach their full potential. 

Rody’s passion for learning lives on in the students that the endowed scholarship in his name supports. 

Allen Ayers Dutton was a renowned photographer and artist. A natural-born teacher, Dutton taught history and art at North High School, and developed a special interest in photography. Photography became his primary focus, and he started teaching at Phoenix College where he later served as department chair until he retired from in 1982.

Dutton photographed every community in Arizona, and The Arizona Historical Society houses an archive of more than 25,000 of his photographs. Dutton’s work is exhibited worldwide in numerous public collections.

In 2010, the Allen A. Dutton Center for Photography, a suite of labs and classroom space at Phoenix College, was dedicated to Dutton in recognition for his lasting contributions to college. Dutton’s legacy at PC is memorialized through the Allen Dutton Endowed Scholarship, supporting the next generation of great American photographers.  

 

The Esquer family honors Cecilia Esquer’s memory and legacy as a passionate educator, attorney, and human rights activist through an endowment supporting students in PC's legal studies program, expanding access and opportunity for future generations.

Thomas N. Fannin, class of 1950, was a real estate and business mogul. Mr. Fannin established the Paul Fannin Leadership Award with his family to recognize PC students who exhibit outstanding leadership amongst their peers.

Jay L. Faulkner, class of 1947, was a member of PC’s 13 Club. He established the Jay L. Faulkner Endowment for ACE (Achieving a College Education) to help students make a smooth transition from high school, to community college and university.

Eric Fischl is an American painter, sculptor, author, and PC alumnus. Since 2005, he has returned to campus to host the annual Vanguard Awards, recognizing the best in show for the student art competition. In 2009, the Gallery in the Fine Arts Building was named in Eric Fischl’s honor.

Eugenia E. Fitzgerald, a former mathematics professor, made a gift through her estate to the Loyal DeWitt Smith Undergraduate Scholarship for students with physical or mental limitations. 

Ann D. Goldberg, class of 1952, made a gift through her estate to the Half Century Club Endowment, supporting the PC Bear Scholarship Program.

The Halnan Family Endowment is established by Chuck Halnan in honor of his parents (all PC alumni) Helen and Richard Halnan. Helen Halnan taught Psychology at Phoenix College for 25 years. The Halnan Family Scholarship supports PC psychology students. 

Health Professions faculty member Rochelle Helminski and her family established the Helminski Family Endowment to support PC students majoring in phlebotomy, medical lab sciences, laboratory assisting and histology.  
 

Thomas “Shanty” Hogan was the most successful football and golf coach in the history of Phoenix College. Hogan is believed to be the only college coach in Arizona ever to win two national championships in two different sports in the same year.  A few months after PC’s 1964 golf team won a national title, the PC football team captured the national championship, crushing Oklahoma Military, 41-13, at the Shrine Bowl in Savannah, GA. Three members of the '64 team moved on to the National Football League (NFL).

In 17 years as head football coach, Hogan compiled a record of 118-39-5. More than 50 of Hogan’s players were named to All-Conference teams, and 14 were honored as first team All-Americans. 200 of his players advanced to four-year programs and 11 became professional athletes. During his tenure from 1959 to 1984, Hogan served as head football coach, golf coach and athletic director.

Eugene Holmerud (Gene) and Carol Young’s passion for music inspired them to establish the Young Geneous Endowment Fund in 2014 to support Phoenix College Community Choir students.

Gail and William Jamieson both taught in the art department at Phoenix College.

Gail was the first full-time female faculty member in the fall of 1967. She was an artist and educator with a deep love for creating beautiful works of art and teaching learners of all ages. While working at PC, she earned her master’s degree at ASU and two doctorates: one in Visual Studio Art and a Doctor of Education Art and Curriculum Design.

Bill began adjunct teaching in the late 1970’s or early 1980’s. He was a teacher, landscape designer, a life member of the Phoenix Bonsai Society and a creative and highly competent artist known for his works in sculpture, ceramics and, most notably, lost-wax jewelry. 

Gail and Bill were married for 47 years, and shared a love of the arts and teaching.  Between the two of them, they taught in the Phoenix College Art Department for nearly 90 years. 

Gail passed away in 2021, and William in 2023. Their legacy gift establishes the Gail & William Jamieson Scholarship, supporting art students at Phoenix College. 
 

Louis C. Leithold, established the Louis C. Leithold Mathematics Scholarship which is awarded to students for outstanding achievement in mathematics at all levels.

Mark Keever started his own chimney-sweep business, and decided that he better go to school to learn how to run his business, so he enrolled in a business course at PC.  While also working at the City of Glendale, over many years, Mark worked to complete his degree. 

One day, he thought to himself, “it’s now or never”, so Mark took the leap of faith and retired from the City of Glendale to focus on growing the chimney sweep business. Adirondack Chimney Sweep flourished, and at its pinnacle had more than 2,000 customers. 

Phoenix College is honored to celebrate Mark Keever, who generously donated more than half a million dollars – the entirety of his estate – to support PC students majoring in business.  Mark’s legacy and spirit live on in the next generation of entrepreneurs.

 

Claude McLean studied mathematics at PC, following his dream to become a chemist. He later earned a master’s degree at the University of Illinois, where he met and married Katherine Weidman, a fellow chemist. Dr. Katherine McLean was a pioneer in her field; working with rocket engineers.  In 1952, she and Claude moved to Phoenix where Katherine taught chemistry at PC, while raising 3 children; Susan, John, and Ann. Dr. McLean’s passion was teaching, and for more than 40 years at PC she impacted thousands of students. Today, son John and wife Barbara, along with daughter Ann and husband Dr. Albert Celoza, honor their family legacy through two scholarships supporting first generation students: the Dr. Katherine McLean Chemistry Scholarship and the Dr. Albert Celoza Excellence in International Studies Scholarship.

Bill Miller was an engineer, outdoorsman, dance and music enthusiast. He is the father of PC faculty member Dr. Dianne Miller, who established the legacy scholarship honoring her father - by creating the Bill Miller Memorial Scholarship, supporting PC students majoring in engineering. 
 

Physician and humanitarian, Dr. Simon Myint, class of 1948, attended PC as an international student with the help of Dean Harry Wyman. He established the Dean Harry B. Wyman Scholarship and the Simon Myint Burma Memorial Scholarship to support Science & Health students.

Friend of Phoenix College supporting the Chris Haines, Garret Schwartz & Kenneth Snider Endowments

Dr. Larry Soller taught in the Speech and Drama Department at Phoenix College from 1966 to 2006, notably under the legendary John Paul. During his forty-year tenure, Dr. Soller mentored and inspired countless students, many of whom have gone on to great success in theater and the arts. He directed more than sixty major productions over his career and is a recipient of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Excellence in Education Award. Throughout his time as faculty, Dr. Soller continued to work as a professional actor, appearing on stage, films and television, with appearances on General Hospital, Young Riders, and in various movies. He established the Dr. Larry Soller Theatre Scholarship to support the next generation of Phoenix College thespians.

Diane H. Thomas-Darnell, led an extraordinary life as an author, photojournalist, writer and photographer. Ms. Thomas taught at Phoenix College and at Glendale Community College.  She established the Diane H. Thomas Scholarship for students transferring to university from these community colleges.

Steve Timarac, class of 1964, was captain of the PC Championship Football Team. He had a passion for helping students develop leadership skills through sports and made a gift through his estate to support PC student athletes

The Wilma Ulrick Memorial Scholarship supports single parents attending Phoenix College. 

In 2009, Daniel Withers partnered with Phoenix College to create the Eric Fischl Scholars Program, the first arts scholarship of its kind at a community college; supporting students pursuing an Associate of Arts Degree.  In 2021, Dan generously established the Daniel Withers Endowment to sustain the Eric Fischl Scholars Program, benefiting generations of students pursuing an arts degree at PC.

Estella Zuniga, PC nursing program class of 1971, benefited from mentors throughout her college career and pays it forward by supporting the PC Bear Scholars Mentoring Program with her planned giving.