Tri-C gets $500,000 gift to help students

Cuyahoga Community College announced this week that it has received a $500,000 gift from AnneMarie and Sam Petros to help students overcome financial hardships and continue their studies during the novel coronavirus outbreak.

The Petros Family Student Relief Fund will offer emergency aid and tuition assistance for students enrolled in academic and workforce training programs at Tri-C, according to a news release. It will fill a gap by providing support to students who do not qualify for federal funding.

The program begins with the upcoming summer session, and the fund will be managed by the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation, the release stated.

“It’s easy for one lost paycheck or sudden expense to interrupt someone’s education and become a barrier,” Sam Petros said in the release. “When we learned how Tri-C students were struggling during the pandemic, we wanted to do something that would have immediate impact. We believe in helping people who are trying to help themselves.”

“Even the most resilient and determined individual needs help at times,” added Anne-Marie Petros. “Investing in each other is the foundation of a strong community. It is our privilege to help Tri-C students achieve and show them the community believes in their potential.”

One focus of the Petros Family Student Relief Fund will involve helping low-income women with children, a population disproportionately affected by the coronavirus crisis, the release stated.

Thousands of students have reached out to the college for resources as they continue their academic progress while dealing with the realities of the COVID-19 situation.

“We are fortunate to have community leaders like Anne-Marie and Sam Petros,” Tri-C President Alex Johnson said in the release. “Through their caring support, Tri-C students will be able to focus on their studies as they overcome current challenges and build toward a better future.”

Sam Petros established Petros Homes in 1985 and embarked on a career building across Northeast Ohio. He is chief executive officer of Petros Homes and president and sole shareholder of Petros Development Group.