PirateQ 
The Morette family becomes the newest Pensacola State College Foundation Fellows. From left: Sharon Morette, Rob Bell, Nikki Bell, Mike Morette and Laura Rae Morette.
The 2026 PSC Foundation Board of Governors Annual Meeting and Community Breakfast highlighted the impact and leadership of a generous community and student success
Morette family honored as newest members of the Pensacola State College Foundation Fellows
The Pensacola State College Foundation Board of Governors hosted the nonprofit’s annual Community Breakfast on Wednesday, March 25, in the Thomas Delaino Student Center on PSC’s Pensacola campus. Each year, the signature event brings together community leaders and friends of the college to celebrate the power of partnership and philanthropy that impacts the lives and education of PSC students.
“The work we do here is important,” said PSC Foundation Past President Mike Morette in his opening remarks. “It changes lives and strengthens our community.”
Regarding the college’s impact on the local economy, Morette said that one out of every 43 jobs in the Pensacola metropolitan area is supported by PSC and its students. During the 2024-2025 academic year, 13,006 students attended PSC, and 89% of the college’s graduates live and work in local communities.
New at the helm of the PSC Foundation is Board of Governors President Jennifer Del Gallo.
“Each year, thousands of students come to PSC seeking an education that will allow them to build careers, support their families and contribute to our community, but many students face financial barriers that can stand in the way of their success,” said Del Gallo.
Del Gallo spoke about her own experience as a PJC student, returning to school for a new career at age 40, when she became aware that other students could not afford their required textbooks.
“For so many students, finances are a roadblock to continuing their education,” she said. “That’s where the Pensacola State College Foundation and the generosity of this community make a tremendous difference.”
Thirty-five volunteer leaders serve on the PSC Foundation Board of Governors, representing a variety of industries in the Pensacola area, including health care, real estate, finance, public administration, construction and more.
Pensacola State College Foundation Board of Governors President Jennifer Del Gallo thanks Immediate Past President Mike Morette for his two consecutive years as president.
In addition to Del Gallo, as president, and Morette, as immediate past president, the following individuals make up the 2026 PSC Foundation Board of Governors: Chandra Smiley, presidentelect/vice president; Tom Owens, treasurer; Kendrick Doidge, secretary; Jodi Bell, Marketing
Committee chair; Chalie Sherrill, III, Nominating Committee chair; Ed Fleming, PSC District Board of Trustees liaison; Doug Bates; Becca Boles; Ed Carson; Christa Davis; Mike Craney; Dick Dixon, Jr.; Hal George; Lane Harper; Carter Herman; Sharon Hess Herrick; Ashlee
Hofberger; Tyler Kercher; Kramer Litvak; Fallon Kurpuis; Will Moore; Alan Nickelsen; Trey Poirier; Bobby Potomski; Jo-Ann Price; Eric Randall; James J. Reeves; Betty Roberts; Jessica Rockhill; Kerry Anne Schulz-Battle; Bill Wein; Jessica Wilmer; and Colten Wright.
In 2025, PSC Foundation governors gave 1,498 volunteer hours in service to the college —equating to $52,000 as determined by the Independent Sector national membership organization of nonprofits and foundations — and donated or raised more than $223,000 in support of scholarships, faculty innovation, student programs and academic excellence.
The PSC Foundation ended 2025 with total assets of $54 million, providing both immediate support and long-term sustainability for students and programs with a 10% increase in overall net position and a 5% increase in the number of scholarships awarded from the previous year.
“Every year, hundreds of PSC students receive scholarship support made possible through our generous donors and community partners, and these scholarships do far more than provide financial assistance,” said PSC Institutional Development Executive Director Andrea Krieger. “They create opportunity, reduce barriers and give students the confidence that their community believes in them.”
Last year, 1,191 students received scholarships through the PSC Foundation, and 10 new scholarships were established by private donors.
“Receiving financial support as a student has actually helped so much because it does relieve that burden of stress and makes sure that I can get my books … all my necessities … and makes sure that my paycheck goes to what my family needs and my financial assistance goes to what I need for my education,” said business administration major Briana Guimaraes in a video shown to illustrate the personal impact of the PSC Foundation’s work.
“Because of this community, students receive scholarships, faculty innovate in their classrooms, programs expand to meet workforce needs, and together, we strengthen the future of our region,” said Krieger, while thanking the room full of supporters for making an impact and inviting them to remain engaged as leaders and partners of the PSC Foundation.
Noting that the Foundation’s recent success was achieved under the leadership of two-year Board of Governors Chair Mike Morette, Krieger called up members of the Morette family to be recognized as the newest members of the Pensacola State College Foundation Fellows.
“The Morette family’s personal philanthropic giving, in-kind contributions and passionate appeals for support from their business and personal contacts have made a lasting impact that will change the lives of students and our community for years to come,” said Krieger. “Their generosity and commitment to education reflect the very best of community leadership.”
The Morette family portrait, which will hang in the college’s Foundation Fellows Hall of Honor, was unveiled to mark the presentation of this highest designation from the PSC Foundation.
PSC President Ed Meadows congratulated the Morette family and thanked all attendees for their significant contributions to student success, workforce programs and faculty support through their gifts to the PSC Foundation.
“Many in this room have risen to the challenge of helping our faculty with professional development,” said Meadows about endowed teaching chairs that support the professional growth of exceptional faculty members. “These teaching chairs empower faculty to enhance their instruction, innovate their curriculum and support student achievement.”
The PSC Foundation currently oversees 14 endowed teaching chairs with an endowed balance of $1.1 million.
Teaching facilities are also supported in part by donations to the PSC Foundation. Meadows provided updates on construction projects for the college’s new Diesel Maintenance Technician, Aviation Airframe and Aviation Powerplant Mechanics programs.
Meadows also thanked the audience for supporting annual fundraisers, highlighted by the Big Break golf tournament in April and the Day of Clays sporting tournament in September. In total, event sponsors and participants contributed more than $255,000 to the PSC Foundation in 2025.
“These gatherings raise critical support for student programs,” said Meadows.
Each year, the PSC Foundation’s Community Breakfast sets the tone for collaboration in support of PSC students and advancing the college’s programs. Demonstrating their commitment to this shared purpose, presenting sponsors were LJA Engineering and Schultz Law Group.