HACC Foundation names philanthropist Frank Dixon as director emeritus

Long-time College benefactor recognized for years of service LEBANON – The HACC Foundation Board of Directors recently named Francis “Frank” J. Dixon as director emeritus for his continuous and gracious support of HACC’s Lebanon campus following his recent retirement from the board after 23 years of service.

“The Lebanon Campus of HACC owes its presence in Lebanon to Mr. Dixon,” said HACC President John J. “Ski” Sygielski, Ed.D.“The Francis J. Dixon Foundation started giving Dixon Tuition Assistance Grants in 1990 when the campus re-opened after a fire destroyed the original building.” Lebanon County residents and students who want to reduce the cost of attending HACC’s Lebanon Campus for the 2013-14 academic year can still take advantage of  tuition assistance grants from the Francis J. Dixon Foundation. The $1,000 grants are available to first- or second-year full-time students and do not have to be repaid.

Sygielski continued, “In addition to grant assistance, Mr. Dixon has continued his support in a variety of ways. Mr. Dixon also has been able to bring other donors to the HACC Foundation and was willing to speak on behalf of the College to community associations. He contributed books to the College’s library collection and supported new efforts of the institution with major gifts annually to numerous endowments. We will be eternally grateful to Mr. Dixon.”

During his 23 years as a member of the HACC Foundation Board of Directors, Dixon served as its chairman for many of those years and was as an active member of the Executive Committee, the Investment Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Special Events Tournament Committee and the Stewardship Committee.  His efforts as director of the annual HACC Foundation Golf Classic, now the Frank J. Dixon Tournament for Scholarships at HACC, have resulted in more than $1.2 million being raised for scholarships during the past 16 years.
Dixon  was awarded an honorary doctorate of public service from HACC in 2002.

Dixon was the owner of Brandywine Recyclers before retiring in 2008. On Dec. 30, 2012, he was named Citizen of the Year by the Lebanon Daily News, the county’s daily newspaper.

About the HACC Foundation
The HACC Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that was established in 1985 to raise private and corporate revenues in support of HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College. The HACC Foundation endowment consists of more than 295 funds totaling more than $29 million, making the HACC Foundation one of the wealthiest community college foundations in the nation. In fiscal year 2011-12 alone, the HACC Foundation contributed close to $2.2 million to the College in scholarships, special programs and facilities and provided financial assistance to 1,067 students.

About HACC
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, was established in 1964 as the commonwealth’s first community college. Today, HACC offers nearly 200 associate and transfer degrees and certificate and diploma programs at campuses in Harrisburg, Gettysburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York. In addition, HACC offers a wide variety of courses, including degree and certificate programs, through its Virtual Campus. HACC has an enrollment of approximately 23,000 credit students and approximately 50,000 students in workforce development and continuing education programs. For more information, go to www.hacc.edu.