The Wenatchee Valley College Foundation Board of Directors has selected Dr. Christopher Stahler and the Foundation of Caring Fund as the Outstanding Friend of the College award recipients for 2024 and 2025. Since its inception in 1988, this annual award recognizes individuals, organizations, or corporations whose time, talent, and financial support have made a lasting impact on the college. Recipients are chosen not by the size of their gift but by the depth of its significance.

In 2025, Dr. Christopher Stahler gifted $465,000 to purchase a new fluoroscopy machine for the Radiologic Technology department, replacing their outdated model that was over twenty years old.

“Investing in our students is investing in the future of our community,” said Dr. Christopher Stahler. “I’m proud to help ensure that WVC’s Radiologic Technology program has the modern tools needed to train the next generation of health professionals.”

The Foundation of Caring Fund is the 2024 award recipient. It is a private, Wenatchee-based foundation established in 1989 by the late Carl and Betty Campbell. In 2022, the Foundation of Caring made a commitment of $750,000 to support WVC’s nursing program, making the 2025 spring nursing cohort possible. With the new spring cohort, WVC will now graduate two nursing cohorts annually.

“Wenatchee Valley College is a blessing to our community,” said Foundation of Caring president Thomas Dye. “College level educational classes are greatly needed, especially the nursing program.”  

“Dr. Stahler and the Foundation of Caring Fund show the impact one gift can make on hundreds of students,” said executive director Rachel Evey. “Through their generosity, WVC will produce more healthcare workers for our community, making an impact on all of us. The WVC Foundation is grateful for their giving and honored to recognize them with this award.”

Past Outstanding Friend of the College award recipients include Jim & Kim Richardson (2022), Sara Lippert (2020), Terry & Suzanne Sorom (2019), and Peggy Ludwick (2018).

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The WVC Foundation was incorporated in 1971. The foundation’s mission is to provide equitable access to education and invest in student success through philanthropy. For information on how to make a gift to the foundation, establish a scholarship or include the WVC Foundation in your estate plans, contact (509) 682-6410. Visit the WVC Foundation website at http://www.wvc.edu/foundation.

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and state laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses:

• To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Wenatchi Hall 2322M, (509) 682-6445, title9@wvc.edu.
• To request disability accommodations: Student Access Manager, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.