From left, Gary Rauschenberger, Carol Achezinski, and Tom Martin are new directors on the Butler County Community College Education Foundation's board. Rauschenberger, of Center Township, is a retired vice president with First National Trust Co. in Hermitage; Achezinski, of Evans City, is senior vice president of preferred corporate services at NexTier Bank in Butler; and Martin, of Butler, is owner of Martin Funeral Home in Butler. The foundation acquires and manages private funds to support BC3's mission, goals, activities and programs.

Butler County Community College announced Monday the appointment of three community leaders who will help steer the BC3 Education Foundation.

Tom Martin, Carol Achezinski and Gary Rauschenberger join 16 other directors of the foundation, which acquires and manages private funds to support BC3's mission, goals, activities and programs. The foundation funds student scholarships, technology enhancements and capital projects such as the Victor K. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building planned for BC3's main campus.

“They all bring unique areas of interests and expertise,” said Ruth Purcell, executive director of the BC3 Education Foundation. “Tom is a business owner, Carol certainly has banking and community experience and Gary's financial skills are incredible.”

Martin, of Butler, owns Martin Funeral Home in Butler. Achezinski, of Evans City, is senior vice president of preferred corporate services at NexTier Bank in Butler. And Rauschenberger, of Center Township, retired as a vice president with First National Trust Co. in Hermitage.

Martin and Achezinski also bring a personal connection to their roles with the foundation. The two are among four BC3 Education Foundation board members who attended BC3.

They join Tony Shakely, of Butler, commercial lending officer at Armco Credit Union; and Joseph E. Kubit, a Cabot attorney who serves as an ex-officio director and is also chairman of BC3's board of trustees.

Achezinski previously served on the BC3 Education Foundation board from 2011 through 2019, and as its chairwoman from 2013-2019. Shakely is the current chairman and Rauschenberger will become treasurer.

Scholarships awarded by the BC3 Education Foundation “help to offset what would have been out-of-pocket expenses” for students, according to Rauschenberger. Scholarships are a factor in 70 percent of BC3 graduates being debt-free.

“It's just easier to get started in life when you are not buried in a mountain of debt,” Rauschenberger said. “That's where the community college can really play a very important part in a post-high school education.”