Pueblo Community College Foundation Scholarship Donors

Art Gonzalez (June 15 – January 30, 2020) was born in Pueblo and graduated from Central High School. He attended Midwest Business College. Following four years in the Navy, Art returned to work at the Pueblo Flour Mill until it closed in 1956. After working for several plumbing and sheet metal companies, Art partnered with Puebloan Sam Brown to open Mountain States Sheet Metal Company in 1966. The company was tremendously successful. Both Art and Sam Brown became some of Pueblo’s greatest philanthropists, giving predominantly to the arts and educational institutions and programs. Art credited his success to the strong work ethic he learned from his father. He lived by the motto “Your word is your bond”.

Our mission: Assistance League volunteers transforming the lives of children through community programs.

Our vision: Essential needs are met in our community and families flourish.

Motto: Transforming Lives • Strengthening Community

Since 1966, Assistance League Pueblo has provided scholarships to deserving students at Pueblo Community College. We are very proud of our scholars, and many return to help us by using the skills they acquired in their college training.

Bernadine Joyce “BJ” McNamara was a life-long resident of Pueblo. She owned and operated Pueblo Credit & Collections Bureau for many years as well as All Seasons Travel. She liked to play bridge, was an avid golfer, and a champion bowler, she was even inducted into the USBC Hall of Fame in Pueblo in 2013. BJ was very active in the community, serving on numerous boards and she was a donor to many local organizations, including Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, the YMCA, and the Pueblo Community College. She passionately believed in supporting her community.

Optimist International is an association of more than 2,900 Optimist Clubs around the world dedicated to “Bringing Out the best in Kids.” Adult volunteers join Optimist Clubs to conduct positive service projects in their communities aimed at providing a helping hand to youth. With their upbeat attitude, Optimist Club members help empower young people to be the best that they can be.

Belmont Optimist Club of Pueblo has created this scholarship in hopes it will be the catalyst to help Pueblo County students reach their full potential. “Tomorrow’s leaders are today’s youth. Our Club wants to reach out to our community to help our youth,” Carlsen, the Club President at time of endowment donation, said. “We’d like to give kids an opportunity to find the nuggets and jewels within them and encourage them to overcome obstacles in their lives.”

Black Hills Energy is “dedicated to helping the youth of our community by providing funds to further their education.”

The Boundless Opportunity Scholarship® (BOS) benefits highly motivated non-traditional students who recognize the power of education to create a better life for themselves and their families. The program helps hardworking students invest in themselves and prepare for in-demand career opportunities.

As a young adult L.W. “Buzz” Elias pursued college studies, first at Pueblo Junior College, then at the University of Denver. During this time he obtained his pilot’s license and soon enlisted and took training as a Naval aviator. During World War II he trained pilots, and it was then he met his future wife, a Navy nurse, Jean Armstrong. They started a family, and he began working with the stock exchange in New York City. The big city lifestyle was hard, and with a small family, he struggled to find work; he hadn’t finished his journalism degree. They relocated to Denver, where he worked in sales, and eventually was able to buy a grocery brokerage business. He became a very successful businessman. He continued flying in private planes for many years. He also was a freelance writer for magazines and for the Pueblo Chieftain.

Inspired by his own experiences, Buzz wanted to help the nontraditional student find a satisfying career in the community by way of education here at Pueblo Community College. Understanding how hard it can be to raise a family while studying for a career, he hoped to help numerous people through his endowment-funded scholarships.

Dr. Gardner Champlin, M.D. practiced pediatrics in Pueblo from 1954 to 1979, and was Director of Medical Affairs from 1979 to 1983 at St. Mary Corwin Hospital. He was a member of Pueblo Rotary 43, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He valued community and wanted to help uplift people through the gift of education.

Cynthia Becker worked as an equal rights advocate while employed with the federal government. She encouraged and inspired others to do their best and was dedicated to serving a diverse community.