CCC receives second historic donation

Clackamas Community College has received a second historic $5 million gift from long-time career and technical education (CTE) advocates Terry and Cheryl Holden to advance the college's planned Natural Resources Center.

In 2021, the Holdens donated $5 million to establish the Holden CTE Capital Projects Funds to help support the construction of an industrial technology center, as well as provide scholarships for students in CTE programs and funding for student veterans. To acknowledge the generous gift, the college named the building the Holden Industrial Technology Center.

In recent history, the Holdens have donated to the Health Sciences Department, including an ambulance simulator and fully remodeling and upgrading the Medical Assistant program teaching space. And just last year, they donated $150,000 to the Automotive Department to purchase vehicles for students to work on.

With the new $5 million donation, the college will name its new Natural Resources Center after them. The center, which is part of a bond passed in 2024, will be a modern, purpose-built space supporting programs such as horticulture and wildland fire, featuring updated indoor and outdoor learning environments. It's designed to enhance hands-on training and better prepare students for careers in high-demand natural resource fields.

The Holdens have a long history and connection with Clackamas Community College and the surrounding community. Cheryl Holden grew up in Estacada, and Terry Holden in Molalla.

When Terry Holden graduated from Molalla High School, he received a scholarship, which had a huge impact on him and made college accessible. Because that gift changed his life, he believes in paying it forward. Terry Holden still recalls that time in his life and how receiving a scholarship deepened his understanding of the importance of education.

"The Holdens understand that when we invest in students, we invest in the future of our communities," CCC President Tim Cook said. "Their extraordinary generosity will create opportunities for generations of students pursuing careers in career and technical education. Their commitment to affordable education and to the communities they call home will have a lasting impact on students and our region."

For more information about CCC scholarships, visit the scholarships webpage. For more information about the Natural Resource Center, visit the bond measure webpage.