Trustees, Community Raise $125K for Endowment, Scholarships

After serving more than 10 years on the Bellevue College Board of Trustees, Merisa Heu-Weller and her husband Daniel bequeathed one last parting gift – a $50,000 donation that led to a total of $125,000 donated to establish the Bellevue College Trustee Legacy Endowment. 

The endowment will fund scholarships for students in perpetuity through the Bellevue College Foundation, reducing barriers for students as they pursue their higher educational goals for years to come.  

The Bellevue College Foundation announced the Heu-Wellers’ donation, and that of their friends’ and families’, at an evening reception honoring her lasting legacy with the Board of Trustees on Oct. 9. 

“Being able to pursue post-secondary education is the key differentiator that enables students to seize opportunity for themselves and their families,” Merisa Heu-Weller said. “My grandparents and Dan’s grandparents were farmers, day laborers, nurses, and teachers who had the intelligence but lacked the means to go as far as they could have in school. Even so, they made sure that every one of the 20 children between them went to and through college. We have seen time and again how access to education can be the difference for the generations that follow. I hope that this scholarship lowers the barriers that could prevent the next generation of talent from realizing their academic potential.” 

Merisa Heu-Weller, a Bellevue resident who works at Microsoft, began as a trustee at Bellevue College in 2013 and served until June 2024. Trustees are allowed to serve two five-year terms. During her tenure, she was board chair twice and received a commendation from its accreditation body, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Having worked with three college presidents, Heu-Weller has helped lead the college toward significant milestones, including but not limited to the college becoming the first community college to offer a four-year bachelor’s degree in computer science in 2016, adopting a resolution in support of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students in 2017, launching the Rise Learning Institute in 2018, and opening student housing in 2019.  

“Merisa has been the heart, soul, and conscience of the board for the last 10 years,” Board of Trustees Chair Richard Leigh said. “Her ethos will continue to reside in the board for many, many years to come, and we will miss her intellect, grace, poise and smile. We thank her for her unyielding commitment and generosity to the board and Bellevue College community at large.” 

Heu Weller said she decided to join the Bellevue College Board of Trustees after hearing Rob McKenna, former attorney general and Bellevue College Foundation board member, describe Bellevue College as a “miracle factory,” and through the encouragement of her godmother, Phyllis Gutierrez Kenney, a former state legislator and State Board for Community Technical Colleges chair.  

“Merisa Heu-Weller has been a tireless advocate for our college and for our diverse students,” Bellevue College President Dr. David May said. “Her genuine warmth and her generosity of spirit were invaluable to me personally as I joined this campus community. She is a mentor to many, including to me; her calm and thoughtfulness have proven invaluable through difficult times. I am very pleased to call her a friend.” 

The Heu-Wellers’ legacy gift inspired approximately 25 community members to give, including a $25,000 gift from Perry and Kim Clarke, leading to a community of giving in the name of student access.  

“Everyone deserves a chance to achieve their potential,” said Perry Clarke, President of Office 365 Core, Microsoft Corporation. “Bellevue College is the catalyst for so many capable students. We’re honored to help light that spark.”   

Dr. May recognized the major impact donations and scholarships can have on students, as the financial cost of college can be an obstacle for those interested in pursuing higher education.  

“A scholarship dollar is the most important dollar,” Dr. May said. “All of the amazing services that we offer on our campus and the incredible teaching and learning that takes place in our classrooms don’t matter if that student can’t see a way for them to be here. Scholarships remove a crucial barrier for students starting their educational journey with us.” 

For information on scholarships or how to donate to the Bellevue College Foundation, visit bellevuecollege.edu/foundation/.