Clatsop Community College
1653 Jerome, Astoria OR 97103
For immediate release
Contact: Nadine Faith (503) 338-2306

CCC Receives Gift of Over $700,000

Clatsop Community College received a gift of over $700,000 from the Towler Trust this week, increasing its capacity to provide scholarships by nearly 25 percent.

At their monthly meeting, board members agreed to accept the trust, established by John W. Towler, in honor of his father, Emmett D. Towler, one of the college’s earliest supporters. Emmett Towler was superintendent of Astoria schools when the college first opened in 1958. At that time, the college was organized under the jurisdiction of the school district until the state passed legislation authorizing the formation of community colleges.

CCC must follow certain conditions to receive and retain the gift. The scholarships funded by the trust must go to students who demonstrate capabilities in art, music, creative writing or journalism. Also stipulated is that the name of Emmett Towler will always appear on the Administrative or other significant College building, or significant portion thereof. The condition is currently satisfied since Towler Hall is named for Emmett Towler.

John Towler died in 2005. A search for heirs of Towler was conducted before concluding that Clatsop Community College is the sole beneficiary.

The Trust has an estimated value in excess of $700,000, consisting of two pieces of undeveloped real estate in Arizona, a small farm in Illinois, a bank account and an investment account. The assets will be liquidated and transferred to the CCC Foundation for management as an endowed scholarship fund.