Bruce McKenzie often may have to deal with a full plate but hasn’t been afraid to make room for more to help invest in his community.

A native of Vandalia, McKenzie and his wife chose to relocate to Tipp City in 1990 after marriage in 1981 because both of their parents lived near this area.

He most recently worked as Chief Marketing Officer and Director of Communications at Edison State Community College for the past decade before retiring this year.

Among his community activities, he has been serving on the Tipp City Foundation board since 2016. He will say goodbye to that board this year. McKenzie has also served on the Grace Brethren Village board and an advisory board for the Miami Valley Career Technology Center.

Community service, he said, has been a way of life.

“From an early age, I was taught the importance of giving. My wife shares this mindset, and as we raised our children in Tipp City, we believe in investing in our community. We strive to meet the needs of those around us and support the areas where our children are involved,” McKenzie said.

“The belief of being a generous giver in many ways has grown stronger, and we practice the principle from Acts 20:35, which teaches that it is better to give than to receive.”

Participating on the Tipp City Foundation board has provided a unique opportunity to see the community.

The service “has illuminated various needs and areas that I might not have noticed otherwise. By being good stewards of our resources, both from a personal perspective and from a foundation member, we can inspire and enable greater achievements for future generations,” McKenzie said.

He holds a bachelor’s degree from Capital University in Columbus and a master’s degree in communications and advertising from Indiana Wesleyan University. He has worked for a public relations and investment firm and for LexisNexis before joining the staff at Edison State.

McKenzie and his wife, Ann, have been married 43 years and are the parents of three children, Drew, Jordan and Meredith, all who graduated from Tipp City schools. The McKenzies have seven grandchildren.

Bruce McKenzie said he and Ann believe supporting the community means actively engaging in opportunities that arise.

“One such opportunity is the Tipp Foundation, which offers a perfect way to leave a lasting legacy and contribute to building a vibrant and strong community. I would encourage everyone to be involved with nonprofits like the Tipp Foundation,” he said.

“Your participation can make a lasting and significant impact, by helping address various needs and fostering a sense of unity and purpose. By contributing your time, skills and resources, you not only support those in need but also enrich your own life with a deeper sense of fulfillment, which ties back to the scripture of being better to give than to receive,” McKenzie added. “With the others who serve on the Tipp City Foundation, we create a brighter future for all.”