'Baptism-by-fire’ for new endowment director

After just a little more than two weeks on the job, the college’s new endowment executive director Jeremy Gigot is busy raising money. 

“He is trying to get a handle of the office, it’s kind of baptism by fire for him because he is coming in right on the phone-a-thon after two weeks of starting on the new job,” said Ryan Ruda, vice president of student services, and endowment board member said. “He is kind of getting thrown into the fire really quickly. He seems to be a very quick learner and seems to grasp the endowment office and its operations.”

Gigot was selected as the executive director by the endowment board and started Sept. 17, in the position vacated last spring with the resignation of Melinda Harrington.

“I am very glad that I have been offered this opportunity, I look forward to meeting many of the recipients of endowment scholarships,” Gigot said. “Thanks to the many wonderful members of staff and faculty on campus that have given so generously to the endowment association.”

The phone-a-thon kicked off Monday, Oct. 1, giving Gigot the opportunity to coordinate the first major fundraising event of the year. 

“I will be at all the endowment events, along with the wonderful students and organization that are volunteering their time to fund raise for the endowment,” he said.

Ruda said he looks forward to what Gigot can bring to the endowment organization.

“Every time that there is a change in office some people might be weary or apprehensive about that change, but I think Jeremy has stated to the board some of the ideas and things that he has, so I am looking for a very fast learning curve from Jeremy, building and growing the association, I don’t see the phone-a-thon loosing because of that aspect,” Ruda said.

Gigot served as office manager for Jeff Gigot Farms, Garden City, since June of 2003. A native of Garden City, Gigot graduated from Garden City High School before earning his law degree in 2001 from Pepperdine University School of Law, Malibu, Calif., as well as a master of business administration at Pepperdine in 2006. He also has a bachelor of arts degree in political science and history from Friends University, Wichita, in 1997. 

Previously, he served in 2002-2003 as an associate with the law office of Ramon M. Escure, Telluride, Colo. Between 1998 and 2000, he served as a law clerk with the Malibu Judicial District, and as a law associate with the Pepperdine University Office of Planned Giving. 

“Selection of someone for this important position is something we have taken very seriously, and we are truly excited to have a talented and experienced new executive director on board,” said Nancy Leiker, Garden City, president of the endowment board. 

The association, founded in 1967, is closely affiliated with GCCC. It maintains annual scholarship founds to support GCCC students.

“I want to congratulate the GCCC Endowment Association on the selection of a new executive director, and offer Jeremy my own personal best wishes for success in this important position,” said GCCC president Herbert J. Swender, Ph.D. “I look forward to even greater success in the years ahead, because this partnership also plays a powerful role in creating and sustaining the future for our community and our region.”