Athletic Center Opening Soon is a Zetmeir Legacy!
Labette Community College, located in Ellen Zetmeir’s hometown of Parsons, Kansas, is about to complete construction on the expansion of its athletic center.
This new complex was made possible thanks to generous donations from many people, including the Zetmeir family.
The Zetmeir Family Athletics Complex campaign was initiated in 2021 with a leading gift from Sophia Zetmeir. This gift came on the heels of a very generous gift from Sonny and Sophia Zetmeir for the college’s Health Science Building in 2011.
Sonny and daughter Ellen
Sonny Zetmeir was a business owner in Parsons, Kansas, where he lived for over 50 years with his family. Known for his generosity and commitment to supporting his community, Sonny Zetmeir and his wife Sophia, passed on the importance of giving to their children. Sonny believed that those who are able to give, should! Ellen and her sisters are grateful for the philanthropic values their parents instilled in them.
Prior to this soon-finished athletic center, Sonny and Sophia Zetmeir had also strongly supported a campaign for a health sciences building. Upon its completion, LCC named this new facility “The Sonny and Sophia Zetmeir Health Science Building.” This previous program provided students with state-of-the-art nursing programs, respiratory therapy programs, radiography, and sonography. And, it included new equipment and technology, allowing the center to potentially become an overflow hospital for the community in a state of emergency. 
So, that legacy of giving initiated by Ellen’s parents is continued by the Zetmeir family today! Now, the family continues to support LCC in their work to improve the lives of their students and community.
This new athletic center is a large-scale expansion project that accomplishes the goal of supporting the athletic and academic programs of LCC. Plus, it provides health and wellness education to the community of Parsons.
Ellen’s parents generous character continues to inspire her family in supporting community campaigns that will make an impact for years and years to come. Stay up-to-date on Ellen’s work and community involvement here or follow along on Facebook and Instagram!
