Million Dollar Endowment Named for Mrs. Cindra Pribil
Bartlesville, Oklahoma – The Tri County Tech Foundation announces a Double Diamond level Legacy Scholarship endowment from Green Country Free Clinic (GCFC), named after its founding director Mrs. Cindra Pribil. The Green Country Free Clinic Board unanimously voted to name the endowment in honor of Mrs. Pribil and her unwavering leadership, generosity, kindness, compassion, and commitment to improving the lives of the community’s uninsured.
Mrs. Pribil, the founding director of the Green Country Free Clinic, has also been its clinic director since its opening in August 1990. Professional medical and non-medical volunteers regularly donated their time, skills, and healthcare knowledge at the clinic to care for those living in Bartlesville and surrounding areas.
In 2014, Tri County Tech (TCT) boldly decided to cease participating in federal funding programs such as Pell Grants and FAFSA. This strategic move gave them the much-needed flexibility to cater to their students’ educational requirements without the shackles or limitations of government funding regulations. Currently, 90 percent of Tri County Tech students rely on the Foundation’s tuition aid. Therefore, it is paramount that the Foundation continues expanding its endowment fund to meet the ever-growing student demand. This announcement is a step in that direction.
Endowed funds continue in perpetuity, are never reduced, and scholarships are granted to qualifying students from the interest earnings. At current rates, ten nursing students per year will receive the Mrs. Cindra L. Pribil, RN Practical Nursing Scholarship.
The Tri County Tech Foundation’s mission is to ensure no student is denied an education due to the lack of funds. Scholarships help students like Katie, who graduated from the Practical Nursing program. She came to Tri County Tech as a single mom with three kids and $13,000 in debt from a private technical college that landed her an $8.50-an-hour pharmacy tech job. “I came from poverty and was stuck in poverty… I never thought I could escape,” she shared, “TCT has helped a lot of people live their dreams! I am finally financially stable because of the TCT Foundation.” As a Licensed Practical Nurse and Foundation recipient, Katie graduated without tuition debt and escaped generational poverty.
Investing in the Tri County Tech Foundation yields tremendous economic benefits and life-changing career opportunities. For every dollar contributed, the return on investment amounts to $100 over five years. No other investment provides such remarkable dividends.
*Pictured Left to Right: Dr. Tammie Strobel, Tri County Tech Superintendent & CEO; Cindra Pribil, RN & Green Country Free Clinic Director; Dava Dye, MSN, MHA, RN, & Tri County Tech Practical Nursing Director; William Pierson, President of the Green Country Free Clinic Board of Directors; Kim Smith, Tri County Tech CFO & Executive Director of the Tri County Tech Foundation; Champagne Kane Tri County Tech Business Development Specialist
About The Tri County Tech Foundation: The Tri County Tech Foundation was established in 1969 to support students at Tri County Tech. Tri County Tech is Oklahoma’s first CareerTech district with a steadfast spirit for innovation and improvement – driving economic development. Tri County Tech has locations in Bartlesville, Pawhuska, and Nowata, Oklahoma. Foundation assistance is available to qualifying students in three critical areas: Tuition Assistance, Emergency Aid, and Food Assistance.