CEF honors Superintendent Jim Connor’s lasting impact

The Columbus Education Foundation (CEF) honored retiring Superintendent Jim Connor with a plaque in recognition of his steady support for efforts that have expanded opportunities for CISD students.

Connor was an early supporter of the work that became CEF. As scholarship support for CISD students grew, he recognized the importance of having a transparent and trusted way to manage those gifts. With the involvement of community leaders like Dr. Thomas Hancher and Patsy Hodge, that effort grew into the independent foundation CEF is today.

Hodge, the foundation’s immediate past president and current advisory board member, said that after studying similar organizations, foundation leaders saw an opportunity to do even more for students by offering support before graduation through classroom grants that help teachers bring special projects and meaningful learning experiences to life.

“Columbus Education Foundation was born to make futures brighter through these two distinct avenues,” Hodge said.

Connor also helped shape one of CEF’s most beloved fundraising traditions: the annual Duck Derby. By introducing the idea of racing rubber ducks on the Colorado River, he helped spark a fun, community-centered event that has grown into a joyful tradition supporting local education year after year. “Jim repeatedly went the extra mile as a CEF Advisory Board representative,” Hodge said. “Since the initial concept, we’ve watched the activity grow exponentially over the past three years as a generous community put their money where it quacked the loudest— supporting the Columbus Duck Derby.”

This school yea r alone, CEF administered $150,500 in scholarships and raised more than $30,000 through Duck Derby sponsorships and ticket sales. Foundation leaders said those accomplishments reflect not only the generosity of the community, but also the lasting momentum of the vision Connor helped champion.

“On behalf of CEF, we would like to thank Jim for his time, support and dedication to CEF and CISD,” said Phillip Garcia, current president of CEF. “Through his leadership and guidance, we were able to establish, develop and grow our combined vision of providing scholarships to our CHS students and classroom grants that would encourage teacher innovation and special projects at all grade levels— Pre-K through 12.”

Dr. Thomas Hancher, the foundation’s initial board president who later served on its advisory board, also reflected warmly on Connor’s support. “Superintendent Jim Connor was supportive of Columbus Education Foundation from its inception,” Hancher said. “I will never forget his commitment to the foundation.”