August 19, 2025

by Guest Contributor, Melissa Henninger, Director of Development

From her current home in Florida, Mary Tucker maintains a deep connection to Forsyth Technical Community College built on years of service, observation, and an unwavering belief in the power of practical education. Having relocated two years ago, this longtime supporter of Forsyth Tech continues to champion the institution that she knows transforms lives through skills-based learning.

A Foundation of Service

Mary’s involvement with Forsyth Tech runs deep through her former role as a board member of the Forsyth Tech Foundation’s board of directors. This position gave her an intimate understanding of the college’s operations and impact—knowledge that continues to inform her philanthropic support today.

“As a board member, [I] did lots of tours of various departments, which was very eye opening,” Mary reflects. “We visited nursing, advanced manufacturing. I’m always impressed by things that teach people to be highly skilled, so that they can offer employers talent, skill and knowledge.”

These behind-the-scenes experiences revealed the college’s direct connection to workforce needs. Mary witnessed firsthand how Forsyth Tech’s programs prepare students not just with knowledge, but with the specific skills that employers actively seek.

Seeing Opportunity in Action

One department that particularly caught Mary’s attention was welding. Her support for this program emerged organically from what she observed during her board service. “I don’t remember how I got started in it, I had a tour of that department and they needed some equipment, so I thought, well,” she says with characteristic modesty about her decision to provide support.

Her investment in welding reflects her practical understanding of career opportunities. “It’s a well-paying job,” she notes simply, recognizing that technical skills often provide more reliable pathways to employment than traditional four-year degrees alone.

This perspective is informed by personal observation. “My granddaughter graduated from a four-year school near Winston-Salem, and a lot of her friends don’t have jobs,” Mary explains, highlighting the employment challenges that many college graduates face in today’s economy. “It’s important to get the skills employers want,” she emphasizes, a principle that guides her philanthropic decisions.

A Vision for Financial Literacy

When asked about her hopes for Forsyth Tech’s future, Mary identifies a specific area where she believes the college could make an even greater impact: financial literacy. She would like to see all students completing a financial literacy course within the next five years.

This recommendation comes from personal experience. Mary credits her parents’ insistence on financial education with her own investment knowledge and fiscal awareness, skills that have clearly served her well in her ability to support causes she believes in.

Life Beyond Philanthropy

While Mary’s commitment to education remains strong, she also enjoys the lifestyle her Florida retirement offers. She’s a golf enthusiast who enjoys watching the sport, and her love of music continues through her support of the Winston-Salem Symphony, maintaining cultural ties to her former home.