Generous gift graces FVCC

How’s this for a community service resume:

Establishing a million-dollar scholarship fund at Flathead Valley Community College, being involved with the Flathead Festival, Glacier Symphony and Chorale, Back Country Horsemen, Human Therapy on Horseback, the Whitefish Winter Classic and PEO.

Add to that the founding and nurturing of The Event at Rebecca Farm, an equestrian triathlon and World Cup qualifier that put Kalispell on the map in equestrian circles.

If that’s not enough, consider Rebecca Broussard’s latest legacy of charity and goodwill: A $4 million gift from her family to Flathead Valley Community College to build a nursing and health education center on the Kalispell campus.

Rebecca Broussard, who died late last year, lived an “extraordinary life as a nurse and philanthropist,” her husband, Jerome, said in announcing the largest gift our local college ever has received.

Now the college and the community will benefit far into the future from this extraordinary gift.

For the college, this is a major step forward that will greatly enhance already-in-demand programs in nursing and other health fields.

For the Broussards, this is an incredible gesture of generosity that is particularly apt since Rebecca Broussard also was a nurse.

Not all the financial heavy lifting is done quite yet, however. The college foundation still needs to raise another $1 million to add to the Broussard family’s gift, but we have no doubt the community will step forward to add its generosity to that of the Broussards.

People interested in learning more or donating to help raise the $1 million match may contact Colleen Unterreiner at 756-3914 or colleenu@fvcc.edu

We all owe a debt of thanks to the Broussards, not just for their monetary largesse but also for the inspiration provided by their benevolence.