Foundation Raises More Than $28K at Eighth Annual Golf Tournament

The 2023 Annual Dennis Portis III Memorial Golf Tournament at the Lincoln Park Golf-West Course raised more than $28,000 in funds for the Metro Tech Foundation and the Dr. Dennis L. Portis III Memorial Scholarship.

Former Metro Tech Associate Superintendent of Instruction, Community Leader and Golf Enthusiast Dr. Portis established the Metro Tech Foundation Golf Tournament. It was renamed in his honor after his untimely passing in 2016. The continuation of the annual golf tournament is made possible by his wife, Kristy Viravong-Portis, his daughter, Sha' Marie Portis and the Metro Tech Foundation Board of Trustees.

A total of 25 teams comprised of Metro Tech employees, stakeholders, community members and partners registered in this year's tournament. Metro Tech Foundation Director Ashley Gibson has been with the non-profit for seven years.

"This tournament is a great way for the Foundation to reconnect with the community," Gibson said. "We are so grateful for the sponsors and teams who continue their contributions each year to support our mission."

As an instructor in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) division, Dr. Portis believed building a solid foundation through a well-rounded STEM curriculum was the best way to ensure students are exposed to these areas throughout their educational career.

In recognition of this, a portion of the tournament funds are allocated to the Foundation's Dr. Dennis L. Portis, III Memorial Scholarship, awarded to students completing Biomedical or Pre-Engineering programs at Metro Tech's STEM Academy.

"Dr. Portis was a cornerstone at Metro Tech as an Associate Superintendent," Gibson said. "He was vital in the growth of both STEM education and the Metro Tech Foundation."

The tournament also supports the continuous mission of the Metro Tech Foundation to provide financial aid to students in need. In CY 2022, the Foundation's assistance programs granted an estimated $85,867 in support to Metro Tech students.

"We firmly believe that eliminating students' personal and financial barriers to completing quality career education is an answer to breaking the generational poverty cycle in the Oklahoma City metro," Gibson said.

To find the latest information about the Dennis Portis III Memorial Golf Tournament and other Metro Tech Foundation fundraising efforts, visit https://foundation.metrotech.edu/.