BUTLER TWP — The estate of E. Bertrum and Esther Shaffer has given the Butler County Community College Education Foundation a $334,710 gift.

“BC3 is honored to be included among the community and educational institutions who are beneficiaries of the Shaffers’ generosity,” said Nick Neupauer, BC3 president, in a news release. “The Shaffers were prominent in the establishment of the college, and with this gift leave a legacy that will influence BC3 far into the future.”

This is the largest estate gift in the foundation’s history, but it is not the Shaffers’ first. In 1977, they established an endowed scholarship, the E. Bertrum and Esther Shaffer Scholarship, that has benefitted BC3 students for more than 30 years. A portion of the recent gift will be designated for scholarship endowment.

E. Bertrum Shaffer was BC3’s first academic dean and twice served as the college’s acting president. He retired from BC3 in 1976 and was named professor emeritus.

Esther Shaffer also was a lifelong educator.

“The Shaffers not only dedicated their talents to the college, they were among the first people to provide private gifts to help students at BC3,” said Sue Bennitt, foundation chairwoman, in the release.

E. Bertrum Shaffer, who began his career as an art instructor, designed the college seal. The Shaffers contributed original works of art to BC3, which are on display on the main campus.

“A gift of this magnitude from one of the key founders of the college will enhance educational opportunities for BC3 students,” Ray Steffler, chairman of the BC3 board of trustees, said in the release. “We are moved by the fact that as the college approaches our 50th birthday, two individuals who were part of the college at our beginning chose to pay tribute to BC3.”

The college plans to name a new walking trail after the Shaffers.