It Takes All of Us

Lone Star College Foundation relies on the generous support of community members, businesses and LSC employees to help raise financial resources to aid students in funding their education. 

The LSC Employee Giving Campaign encourages employees to provide quality instruction and financially assist students in reaching their academic goals. Money raised will help students remove the financial burdens that could threaten or disrupt their educational journey. 

“Employee giving is a great way for Lone Star College employees to demonstrate their commitment to students and each other, as well as the culture of caring in which we work,” said Susan Summers, CFRE, LSC Foundation Donor Relations Director. “We are so grateful to all of the employee donors for positively impacting student success through their support.” 

Employees champion the Giving Campaign at each LSC campus and recruit participation from fellow employees. Debra Britton (pictured top), Ed.D., LSC-Houston North Instructional Quality and Accreditation Compliance Director, and Cami Keitel (pictured bottom), LSC-Montgomery Student Success Vice President, have been long-time supporters of employee giving. 

“The Employee Giving Campaign changes lives, and it takes the focus off of us and puts it toward the students,” said Britton. “A small investment equals big dividends.” 

Britton established the Dr. Debra Bettis Britton and Katheryn Jane Bettis Academic Scholarship in 2012 in honor of her late mother, Katheryn, a nurse and mini philanthropist who never ceased to give and impact her community. Her example taught Britton to be thankful for what she has and invest in others. The $500 nursing scholarship grew to an endowment in 2016. 

“When I was going to school, church and community members donated money to me, so the Employee Giving Campaign allows me to ‘pay it forward,’” said Britton. “Lone Star College is one of the gateways to a student’s future and the possibilities are extraordinary.” 

The Employee Giving Campaign reminds Keitel of the generous donors who helped pay for her college education. 

“I was so appreciative of the patron’s scholarship, and it encouraged me to find ways to support and help others just as someone had helped me,” said Keitel. “I realized that you do not need to be wealthy to contribute; you just have to be willing to commit.” 

Keitel started the Jorge Christian Keitel Memorial Scholarship Endowment in memory of her husband, Jorge, and his lifelong commitment to education. The fund helps students pay for their academic dreams and lets their daughter see how her dad’s life directly impacts others. 

“Jorge valued education. He studied in higher education on three different continents and earned a certificate at Lone Star College,” she said. “Developing this scholarship in his name was a way of honoring the person he was and what he valued.” 

Along with the Jorge Christian Keitel Memorial Scholarship Endowment, Keitel and the LSC-Montgomery Student Success team created and endowed the Maverick Student Success Scholarship. The 40 donors commit to a minimum annual donation, which helps meet their fundraising deadline. Keitel also supports the memorial scholarship in honor of Michael Chavez, Ed.D., former LSC-Montgomery Vice President, who passed away in fall 2022. 

“Lone Star College Foundation has done a tremendous job of matching donors to our most urgent student needs,” said Keitel. “I will continue to look for opportunities to support our students academically and financially as new needs arise.” 

Since 2015, the Employee Giving Campaign has raised nearly $1.3 million, with $160,307 garnered in 2022. Proceeds will go toward student scholarships, college programs, emergency funds and other resources.