L. Gale Lemerand receives national Benefactor Award for support of DSC

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 23, 2015) – Well-known businessman L. Gale Lemerand has received a Council for Resource Development 2015 Benefactor Award for his meaningful and generous support of Daytona State College. Nominated by DSC President Tom LoBasso and DSC Foundation Executive Director Kay Burniston, the self-made entrepreneur was honored with the award during the 49th annual CRD convention held Oct. 28-30 in Washington, D.C.

The CRD, a national advocacy organization, recognizes individuals, foundations or businesses/corporations for outstanding contributions to community colleges. Dedicated to education, Mr. Lemerand has given over $30 million to colleges, including over $1 million to Daytona State.

"Gale Lemerand was a natural for this award, with his years of support and contributions to our college," said President LoBasso. "He values Daytona State College's mission and our service to students from all walks of life. We are very grateful for his generosity and interest in our programs, including our business classes and his Entrepreneurial Speaker Series."

A military veteran who served in the Korean War, Lemerand began his career in sales occupations, realizing a love for business. He began his own business at the age of 40, becoming extremely successful as an entrepreneur. At 81, he has not slowed down. He continues to invest in businesses and gives to many community organizations. In 1996, Florida's governor appointed him to the District Board of Trustees for, then, Daytona Beach Community College, where he served as chair and member for over eight years. During that time, he gave his first gift to the college of more than $600,000. Since then he has donated funds to support an entrepreneur series, where students and community members hear from diverse, successful people about how dreams become reality.

"Gale exemplifies the ideal philanthropist, a generous person with a kind soul finding ways to give others an opportunity to succeed," said DSC's Burniston. "We're delighted the CRD chose him for this national honor."

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Caption: Left to right, DSC President Tom LoBasso, Benefactor Award winner L. Gale Lemerand and CRD President/CEO Leah Goss

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MORE: Offering more than 100 certificate, associate and bachelor’s degree programs, Daytona State College is the leader in education and workforce training needs of Volusia and Flagler counties and beyond for more than 60 years. The College enrolls nearly 25,000 students a year at its seven instructional sites, with graduates serving in critical fields including healthcare, emergency services/public safety, business, education, hospitality, engineering, technology, digital media, and more. 

Daytona State has been recognized as a leader in higher education numerous times, consistently by U.S. News & World Report, which ranks the College among the Top Tier Best Online Bachelor’s Programs. The U.S. Department of Education’s College Affordability and Transparency Center has ranked DSC among the top 50 most affordable public four-year institutions in the country, with less than half the tuition of the national average. Community College Week, a leading publication in higher education, annually continues to feature the college in its list of Top 100 Associate Degree Producers. And U.S. News & World Report has ranked DSC among its Top Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans multiple times.

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