The-Laker-Issue-Spring-2022

16 | the LAKER foundation update The FLCC Foundation has announced the addition of the Mary Porcari Brady Nursing Student Support Fund, a gift that provides funds for nursing students facing unexpected costs outside the classroom that could force them to delay studies or even leave the program. An initial grant of $20,000, administered by the Nursing Department, will be available to assist students facing unexpected challenges such as car repairs, utility bills, a change in living arrangements, or other situations that could otherwise keep them out of the classroom. Created in 2006 at Monroe Community College in Rochester and expanded to Onondaga Community College in Syracuse in 2010, the Mary Porcari Brady Nursing Student Support Fund has disbursed over $640,000 to date to help hundreds of upstate New York nursing students continue their studies and ultimately enter the workforce. “Most of our students are balancing work, school and home on a string,” said Heather Reece-Tillack, chair of the nursing department. “We’ve seen unexpected bills derail them for both short and long periods of time, and some unfortunately never return. The MPB Fund gives us the ability to help keep them on track.” Students can apply for funds through a process administered by the Nursing Department and the Foundation. “We are excited and grateful for the support of and partnership with the Porcari family and the MPB Fund,” said Louis Noce, FLCC chief advancement officer. “Our nursing students will enter the workforce as professional healthcare providers in an era when their skills are never more in demand. Contributions like this assure they get there on time.” Fund helps nursing students overcome setbacks About the Mary Porcari Brady Student Support Fund Following the loss of her youngest child, Mary Elizabeth, to a rare genetic disorder in 1969, Mary Porcari Brady obtained her nursing degree at Monroe Community College while raising her four surviving children. During her career, she worked as a registered nurse at Park Ridge Hospital for over 20 years, then at Cortland Hospital while she obtained a second degree at SUNY Cortland. She finished her career at Oswego Hospital. After her passing in 2001, her surviving children pooled resources to fund a commitment in her memory. New Board Member: Carl Steinbrenner Carl Steinbrenner is the founder of Steinbrenner Law Offices, a boutique law firm that represents and assists businesses, with offices in Rochester and Canandaigua. He was previously an attorney with one of the largest western New York law firms and corporate counsel in the law departments of Bausch & Lomb and Owens-Illinois. In addition to the FLCC Foundation Board, Carl was appointed by the Rochester City Council to its Ethics Board and serves as its chair. He also serves on the boards of Lifetime Assistance Foundation, the Parish Pastoral Council of St. Benedict’s Parish/St. Mary’s Church, the Canandaigua Chamber of Commerce, and the Business Foundation of the Finger Lakes. He previously served as chair and president of the Canandaigua Local Development Corporation. Carl is a founder of the networking organization First Wednesdays of Rochester, and serves on its board of directors. He is also active with the Notre Dame Club of Rochester and the German School of Rochester. Carl received a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and earned his juris doctor degree from the University of Notre Dame. He is also a graduate of Salzburg College in Austria. Carl resides in Canandaigua and enjoys traveling and spending time with his four daughters and their families. Mary Porcari Brady