Former LSC Foundation board member Henry Brooks exemplifies that spirit as he continues to support students he will never have the chance to meet. Brooks donated more than $1 million to the Foundation in his lifetime and bestowed another $1 million to the Henry T. Brooks Endowed Memorial Fund upon his passing in 2019.

“Getting people trained for a job was a priority to Henry,” said Nicole Robinson Gauthier, CFRE, LSCS associate vice chancellor, Foundation Advancement & Donor Engagement. “That is why, when we worked on the criteria for his memorial endowment, he focused it 100% on students earning a workforce certificate.”

This funding provides scholarships for Montgomery County students pursuing high-demand careers in industries such as welding, machining, HVAC, automotive technology, industrial diesel technology, process technology, pipefitting, construction supervision, inspection technology, engineering design technology and electrical technology. Students who complete their full program also receive assistance to purchase tools as they start their careers.

“Henry grew up in an environment where he understood firsthand what it meant when someone outside the family extended a helping hand. As he worked hard and achieved success in business, he never forgot those lessons,” said Fred Caldwell, CEO of Caldwell Companies and fellow former board member. “Giving back and helping others was simply part of who he was. He was always looking for ways to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others and in the community."

Brooks’ involvement with LSCS dates back to the 1970s, when he purchased a business in Conroe and began supporting organizations such as the Montgomery County Community Foundation, among others. He would later establish his endowment and donate property that would become part of LSC-Conroe Center. Brooks served on the board of directors from 2011-2016.

“When Henry joined the Lone Star College Foundation Board, he brought a wealth of business acumen along with his direct and candid communication style,” Caldwell said. “Henry Brooks set a course that all of us can follow— being clear about purpose, working hard and giving back to help others achieve their potential. His life was marked by success in the ways that matter most, reflected in the countless lives he touched and the many people he helped move forward.”

Learn more about LSCS academic and workforce programs at LoneStar.edu/Programs-Of-Study.