Latzers Pledge to Support the LCC Capital Campaign

Parsons, KS – John and Bonnie Latzer, lifelong Parsonians, have pledged $100,000 to support the next phase in Labette Community College Foundation’s Pathways to the Future Capital Campaign. This gift will help the college renovate and expand the athletic facilities to meet the needs of students and better serve the community.

The Latzers have called Parsons home since they were newlyweds over 50 years ago. “Parsons is, by choice, our forever home. We are here to stay, and so is the college,” said Mrs. Latzer. 

The Latzers have a long-standing tradition of support for Labette Community College students. In addition to supporting the Pathways to the Future Capital Campaign to construct the new Health Science building, the Latzers created the Latzer Art Award, an endowment through the Parsons Area Community Foundation in partnership with the LCC Foundation. The Latzer Art award is presented twice a year to LCC students who display promise in the fine arts realm. The couples passion for the arts is recognized through an art display case and plaque in the Reese H. Hughes Arts & Humanities building on the main campus. 

“As a couple we are driven by the arts, not athletics. Even so, athletics are an important part of the complete college experience. Athletics, just like in fine arts, are where life-long connections are made and scholarships are offered to students to create an opportunity to complete their degree,” said Mr. Latzer. 

The Latzers have been a part of the Parsons community for over five decades and have a strong desire for the community to be successful. Mr. Latzer said they view the hospital and the college as the two core institutions of Parsons. “The college and the hospital are the heartbeat of the entire community and vital to economic development. If we lose one, we could lose our community. The college brings out of state students to our community through healthcare programs, athletics, and the arts. Their families come to town to shop, eat, and stay in our hotels,” said Mr. Latzer. 

“This expansion and renovation will allow the college to grow and be a welcome facility to our athletic competitors. Better facilities may attract more students, which is a driver of the community,” continued John. “This capital campaign project is important.”

Mrs. Latzer said, “The college is so close to meeting the goal of the campaign, we felt strongly about doing our part in helping it succeed. We believe it will succeed, and we invite others to join in giving.” 
“We are extremely grateful for the generous pledge from the Latzers. They have shown time and time again how much they believe in Labette Community College and what we do for our students and the broader community. It is an inspiration to us all,” said Lindi Forbes, Executive Director of the LCC Foundation. “We have received gifts from over 600 individuals, businesses, and foundations thus far, which demonstrates the worthiness of our project.”

Private support for LCC’s capital campaign can come through outright gifts of cash, bequests, life insurance policies, gifts of real estate, and other giving mechanisms. Individuals or businesses can choose to give in a variety of ways, even to spread out payments up to five years. This makes the giving capacity larger and more feasible for more people. 

This generous support from the Latzers will also help the LCC Foundation meet a $500,000 Mabee Challenge Grant requirement. The campaign has raised $5,153,360 for capital, which includes the Mabee Grant. 

LCC must raise $576,540 by January 14, 2021 to earn the grant from the Mabee Foundation of Midland, TX and complete the fundraising goal. LCC capital campaign donations can be made on the website at: http://www.labette.edu/foundation/index.html or with a check made payable to: LCC Foundation, 200 S. 14th Street Parsons, KS 67357. All donations are tax deductible.