TVCC NAMES NEW NURSING & ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS CENTER
January 16, 2024: Treasure Valley Community College’s new Nursing & Allied Health Professions Center will bear the name of local community volunteer and philanthropist Evelyn Dame. Tuesday night the TVCC Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a recommendation from the college Foundation presented by Executive Director Cathy Yasuda. “Evelyn Dame’s life is a testimony to the power of service, education, and community engagement. Her legacy of service is an inspiration to us all, demonstrating that one person’s commitment can create a lasting impact on the lives of many. It is my esteemed honor to present a recommendation from the TVCC Foundation Board to the TVCC Board of Education to approve the naming of our new Nursing & Allied Health Professions Center to the Evelyn S. Dame Nursing & Allied Health Professions Center.”
Yasuda said Tuesday’s announcement followed a meeting with she and TVCC President Dana Young and Kelly Dame, Evelyn’s husband over a month ago to discuss the building project. “Kelly said after the Foundation Scholarship GALA he and Evelyn had discussed how they could give back to the community in a meaningful way and felt the new healthcare facility was a project worth supporting.” That level of support came with a pledge of $1 million for the new facility. According to Yasuda, naming the building after his lifelong partner was Kelly’s idea and it took a considerable amount of convincing from her family for her to finally consent to the proposal as she is a very humble and modest about her service and commitment to the community. From there Yasuda brought it to the Foundation at their January Board meeting where they approved the recommendation that would go to the Board of Education for final approval.
The Payette County resident has a long history of volunteerism and engagement in numerous projects and programs in the community that include an emphasis in education. Her educational pursuit continued at Brigham Young University, where she earned a BA in clothing, textiles and fashion merchandising. It was during this time that she met her future husband and they embarked on a journey that led them to Mansfield, Texas, where they were blessed with five sons. This woman’s commitment to education extends beyond her own family as she and her family hosted three foreign exchange students and advocated for educational initiatives in the Ontario 8-C School District where she served on the school board for 14 years, including terms as a vice chair and board chair. Her dedication went beyond board meetings, as she visited schools, attended weekly programs, and served as a lunch buddy. She championed programs like the dual language academy, and reading initiatives; always putting the well-being and education of children at the forefront.
In 2008, Evelyn answered the call to serve on the TVCC Foundation Board where she served as the board chair and remains an active and engaged member of the Board to this day. She served as co-chair with Mike Hanigan and Ralph Poole on the capital campaign for the new science building. Their ability along with others to inspire generosity within the community resulted in the successful campaign that raised $3 million along with other matching funds from the Oregon Legislature.
In 2014 she was recognized for her many contributions by being named Woman of the Year by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce. Her philanthropic spirit has continued through her involvement with the community. Serve Day, Help Them to Hope, and her decade long commitment to decorating Christmas trees for the Festival of Trees are just some of the many projects she champions. She currently serves on the Community Advisory Board for St. Luke’s in Fruitland, the Western Treasure Valley Community Board and was also involved in fundraising for the Fruitland Respite House, a home away from home for families undergoing cancer treatment. Dame has also given life-long service for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where she has mentored young women, and served as the Stake Release Society President, embracing the values of strengthening family and homes
Yasuda and Dr. Young are thrilled and honored to have Evelyn’s name on the new building and the significance of the pacesetting gift, especially since she has been a longtime member of the Foundation Board and loyal supporter of the college. “This incredible donation comes from a love and commitment for family and community and most of all an investment in the future of TVCC, our students, faculty and staff and the region that we serve. We are beyond words of appreciation, gratitude and thanks for this capstone donation. With this contribution, we have exceeded our fundraising goal and have successfully completed our capital campaign for the new building,” Yasuda said.
TVCC President Dana Young had this to say about the big announcement. “TVCC is extremely grateful for this tremendously generous gift from the Dame family in honor of Evelyn Dame. Evelyn does so much for the community and we are proud to announce that the Board of Education has approved naming the new building the Evelyn S. Dame Nursing & Allied Health Professions Center.”
The Dame’s added these comments about their gift. “Our support to Treasure Valley Community College underscores our love for the community. It signifies our dedication to education and aligns with our family values of compassion and community service. We are confident the Nursing and Allied Health Building will be a blessing to our local area and beyond. It is an honor for us to join those who have contributed and made this health care education and training center possible.”