Instead of paying for his children’s education, Laurel Bush provided them with jobs at his Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise.
Marilyn K. Bush used her hard-earned dollars from the family business to pay tuition for Visitation Academy of St. Louis and later, Saint Louis University. To save money, Bush transferred to St. Louis Community College at Meramec in 1981 to earn an associate degree.
“My path to St. Louis Community College had a lot to do with the quality of the staff and educational courses coupled with affordability, because I was paying for my education myself,” said Bush, who now serves as president of Bank of America St. Louis and president of the STLCC Foundation Board.
“I particularly remember my calculus and statistics class at St. Louis Community College because the instructor was able to teach the course in a way that students successfully learned the challenging curriculum and passed the course. The faculty and staff are knowledgeable and for those who are working to put themselves through college, it's an affordable way to attain an education.”
Bush went on to graduate from SLU with a bachelor’s degree in business and finance and launched a career in banking. She graduated debt free and credits STLCC, along with lessons learned while working alongside her dad, for making that possible.
She’s one of STLCC’s biggest advocates and now serves as president of the college’s Foundation Board. Her term is through June 30, 2024.
Bush was recently honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award, which is presented to exceptional individuals who have attended a Missouri community college, at the Missouri Community College Association’s 58th Annual Convention and Tradeshow Awards last month.
“When I think about what St. Louis Community College really offers students, without a doubt it’s the top-tier faculty and staff, combined with the ability to transfer credits earned into a great affordable education. St. Louis Community College really empowers anyone to achieve access to a variety of educational opportunities and careers,” Bush said.
“It’s important that people know there are terrific educational resources available at St. Louis Community College that can be accessible and within anyone’s reach.”
Bush is amazed and proud of the many opportunities that STLCC creates for students from all walks of life. She noted that while STLCC can help students earn an associate degree and then transfer to earn a four-year degree like she did, it can also be a direct path to the workforce.
“St. Louis Community College is one of our region’s strongest workforce partners,” she said. “As I think about the 60-year anniversary, the culinary school is one of the oldest and most highly rated in the industry. Additionally, the automotive industry is growing and courses such as the commercial driving school continue to be popular. Whether someone is interested in being an emergency medical technician, a patient care technician or other positions in the medical field, the health care facility is state-of-the-art in training and simulation programming.”
Bush said the number of the college’s job training programs has increased over the years, and students leave the classroom ready to join the workforce.
“I think that’s one of the most important stories to tell about St. Louis Community College,” she said. “It’s a great resource in the community, for the potential workforce and businesses, to help our region be the best it can be.”
Bush is especially excited about STLCC Tech Academy, which Bank of America supports. The academy equips students with the technical skills and knowledge needed to start technology careers. Approximately 200 students are on track to graduate by 2026.
“The program provides underrepresented individuals the opportunity to go to college, get their credentials, get skilled up and be able to land a well-paying job,” she said.
“For us, the vision is to be very intentional about making sure we're investing in those in the community who wouldn't necessarily have opportunities to go to college and provide that affordability. The goal at the end of this partnership is to make an impact and really transform people’s lives.”
Bush has served on the STLCC Foundation board for six years. During this time, she successfully completed STLCC's Opportunity for All Capital Campaign that garnered support for scholarships, innovative programs, workforce development, capital projects and more.
Her efforts have not gone unnoticed.
“It’s my joy, I really don’t consider it a job to help other STLCC students who, perhaps like I did as a student, are balancing work and school, so they can make a place for themselves in life. I am honored to serve STLCC in this way and appreciate this recognition,” Bush said.
To learn more about St. Louis Community College, visit stlcc.edu.
St. Louis Community College has served more than 1.3 million students. More than 50% of households in the St. Louis area are represented in our former and current student body. Since 1962, St. Louis Community College has held fast to the fundamental belief that education has the power to lift us up — as individuals, as communities and as a city.
