Beachners Pledge to LCC Capital Campaign

Parsons, KS – The Beachner family has donated $125,000 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 Beachner Corporation began as a seed business in the 1940s by Fred Beachner. In 1987 the company began an era of significant expansion. Today, the family owned and operated company employs over 300 people and spans more than thirty communities throughout Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. Beachner Corporation specializes in seed, grain, and cattle feed lots. 

The Beachner family believes the growth and success of their agricultural-based company can be attributed directly to their valued employees and committed customers. 

The Beachners are committed to helping improve the livelihood of the communities they serve. This is demonstrated through their continued donations to local hospitals, school systems, 4-H activities and other youth organizations. “Labette Community College is honored that the Beachner family chooses to provide significant support to the college,” said LCC President Dr. Mark Watkins. 

The heads of the flourishing business and Beachner family, Corky and Alice, believe that Labette Community College has had a major impact on their community. “LCC has made higher education affordable and accessible in our community,” said Corky. “The college helps train health care workers for local hospitals and communities, which is so important.”  

Not only has LCC benefited the community, but also the Beachner Family. Alice Beachner is a 1962 graduate of Parsons Junior College, now known as Labette Community College. She was an active student and crowned Homecoming Queen that same year. The quality education Alice received created a desire within she and Corky to make sure all of their children attended college. “Although Corky went straight into the family business without attending college, he always valued higher education as much as me,” said Alice.

Several of Corky and Alice’s grandchildren have attended LCC and one grandson played on the LCC men’s basketball team. Their daughter, Julie Page, and daughter-in-law, Kim Beachner, have both served as Nurse faculty members at LCC for over twelve years.

The Beachners have had an important and long-lasting impact on LCC. In addition to being regular donors, they have both served in leadership roles for LCC. Alice served two terms on the LCC Foundation Board including two years as Secretary. Alice and her son, Gary, were a part of the Steering Committee for the Phase I Capital Campaign, which constructed the Zetmeir Health Science Building. Gary, is currently serving on the Phase II Athletic Complex Campaign Steering Committee. Alice and Corky have been named as Honorary Chairs of the Athletic Complex Capital Campaign as well.

The Beachner family gift will help reach the overall $5.7M capital goal. The athletic complex project will provide air conditioning, new seating, and other updates to the current gym. It will also make it possible to construct a 21,850 square foot addition to house: classroom space for Exercise Science, Athletic Training, and Physical Education programs; indoor softball/baseball training area; wrestling training area; lockers; showers; weight room; and cardio room. 

“College Athletics brings pride, enthusiasm, and morale to the college and the community,” said Alice Beachner. “We believe that athletics fosters unity within the student body.”

“The Beachner family has been outstandingly generous to LCC over many years,” Lindi Forbes, Foundation Executive Director said. “When asked about serving in campaign leadership roles, they didn’t hesitate to volunteer their time to help meet student needs. They believe in the worthiness of this entire 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. 

For more information on how to give to the Pathways capital campaign, please contact Forbes at 620-820-1212 or lindif@labette.edu. Gifts may also be mailed to: 200 South 14th, Parsons, KS 67357.