Enthusiasm and generosity joined hands in July 2025 when Kate Beckwith Woody gave a $1 million gift to fund the Promise Program at Indian River State College. The two-year tuition-free program, available to eligible high school students who have graduated from public, charter, or homeschools in Indian River, Martin, St. Lucie, and Okeechobee Counties, provides a pathway to an associate degree. Sponsored by the IRSC Foundation and funded by donations and proceeds from investments, it has helped 4,000 students achieve a bright future.
“The Promise Program has had an incredible impact—it’s a game changer!” exclaims Woody, who serves on the foundation board. When making her donation, she challenged the other directors to follow her lead, with the goal of raising $15 million to fully fund the program into the future.
“When we designed the program, we looked at barriers to further education and ways to remove them,” she explains. “For example, there’s no family income restriction, students can attend classes at any one of our four campuses, and staff will walk them through the process. We have free tutoring if needed, and there are over 130 different programs for them to choose from.” In her excitement when describing the program, she can’t talk fast enough.
“We’re not just promising a better future; we’re making it happen, one student at a time. What’s really great is that 77 percent of our graduates stay and work right here in Indian River County, so if you’re in the hospital, it’s a good chance you’re being cared for by someone who graduated from IRSC. The same is true when it comes to our local police officers, EMTs, and firefighters. There are so many inspiring stories…