(Butler, PA) The BC3 Education Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce recent gifts to the Pioneer Proud Campaign from NexTier Bank and Snyder Associated Companies. Each company contributed $50,000.

NexTier Bank has a history of partnership with BC3. The bank has long supported the BC3 Center for Economic Education and founded the BC3 Foundation Golf Outing in 1996. Members of the bank leadership teams have served on volunteer boards at the College, including the current BC3 Foundation Board Chair, Carol Achezinski. Ms. Achezinski is Senior Vice President, Preferred Corporate Services at NexTier.

“I’m a graduate of BC3 and have long been impressed with the caliber of students, faculty and leadership at BC3. Since I became involved with the Foundation, I see how private gifts make such a difference for both students and the community. I have a friend who runs on the privately funded Shaffer Trail at BC3 every day,” said Ms. Achezinski. “I am proud that the team at NexTier agrees and is supporting the campaign.”

Snyder Associated Companies has supported BC3 in the past but this is the largest gift ever made by the company to the College. Mark A. Snyder, Corporate Secretary of Snyder Associated Companies, stated that “As a company, we are interested in programs that prepare students for jobs in the regional economy and I think BC3 does a great job with that. We are also pleased that the College can respond quickly to local opportunities, such as their new petroleum, energy and natural gas program and the opening of a satellite campus in Armstrong County. This shows us that the College is truly committed to the regional community.”

Both gifts are unrestricted, meaning that BC3 leadership has the discretion to determine where the funds are most needed and will have the greatest impact. President Neupauer commented, “We are thankful to be the beneficiary of the generosity of both NexTier Bank and Snyder Associated Companies. Our enduring friendship with NexTier opened the door for us at Snyder and for that we are very grateful.”

About NexTier Inc.

NexTier Inc. serves the western Pennsylvania region with corporate offices in Kittanning. NexTier, Inc. includes NexTier Bank, NexTier Wealth Management, and ESS NexTier Insurance. NexTier Bank has 24 community offices throughout northern Allegheny, Butler and Armstrong counties. As of June 30, 2015, NexTier, Inc. reported total assets of $983 million, total loans of $671 million and total deposits of $862 million.

About Snyder Associated Companies, Inc.

Snyder Associated Companies, Inc. is a privately held family-owned business headquartered in Kittanning, PA, with investments in mining, natural gas exploration and production, manufacturing, agriculture and banking. With approximately 1,000 employees, Snyder Associated Companies operates both regionally and internationally. The Snyder family owns a majority interest in NexTier Bank.