Community College of Philadelphia Foundation Announces $300,000 Hill Family Donation to Support Students, Capital Projects 

Originally published June 17, 2021 
Contact: 
Barry Johnson 
Email: btjohnson@ccp.edu 
 

The $300,000 donation will establish the Ann Hill Pay It Forward Scholarship Endowment and the Ann Hill Makerspace in the Library and Learning Commons 

PHILADELPHIA – Community College of Philadelphia Foundation today announced a $300,000 donation on behalf of the Ann Hill Donor Advised Fund which will assist the College in further supporting students as they seek to improve their lives through higher education.  

Of the total donation, $250,000 will go towards establishing the Ann Hill Pay It Forward Scholarship Endowment, which will provide emergency funding to students facing unexpected financial hardships or educational expenses. 

The remaining $50,000 will support the College’s redesigned Main Campus Library and Learning Commons expected to open this fall. As a result, the makerspace will be renamed the Ann Hill Makerspace and it will serve as a collaborative hub where students and faculty can gather to develop creative projects using a variety of tools and materials.  

“Community College of Philadelphia Foundation is extremely grateful for the generous donation on behalf of the Hill family,” said College vice president for institutional advancement and Foundation executive director Dr. Mellissia M. Zanjani. “Through expanded student scholarships and the naming of the Library and Learning Commons Makerspace, this contribution exemplifies Ann Hill’s legacy as a selfless humanitarian. With the support of the Hill Family, the College will be able to continue its mission of enhancing and enriching the educational experiences of its students.”   

The scholarship endowment and the makerspace are named after the late Ann Hill, the daughter of Jane C. MacElree and the late Louis G. Hill, former Common Pleas Court Judge and state senator. Ann passed away from cancer in November 2019 and was known for her generosity, grit, and determination to live a full life on her own terms.  

“Ann knew the value of community college education in her own life, and the importance of hands-on creative endeavors,” said Tom Hill, one of Ann’s six siblings, about the makerspace. 

He added, “We hope her ‘Pay It Forward’ endowment will help students to stay in school and graduate as they confront financial challenges beyond tuition.”  

For additional information on how to support the College, contact Lyvette Jones, major gifts officer, at 215-751-8046 or lyjones@ccp.edu.  

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