​(Santa Ana, CA) - The Santa Ana College (SAC) Veterans Resource Center is honoring former SAC student veteran Jonathan Medina at its 2019 Philanthropic Dinner and Student Recognition event on Thursday, May 9.

Medina, 26, served in the United States Marine Corps for four years and is currently completing his third and final year with the United States Army National Guard. He said after he finished his initial military service, he chose to attend SAC because of the diverse community the college serves. After applying, however, he found support and a community of students who had similar military experiences at SAC’s Veterans Resource Center.

“The Veterans Resource Center (VCR) was and continues to be the reason that I have gone this far in my education,” he said. “It was a place full of friendly faces that became my home away from home. The VRC gave me a place to meet other veterans who shared the same experiences and struggles, and ultimately made school a more enjoyable experience.”

In addition to Medina, the Philanthropic Dinner and Student Recognition event honors student veteran Jose Marin, Madeline and Ronnie Grant, AT&T, R.A. Industries, U.S. Bank, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Lentz Morrissey Architecture, Strength in Support, and Goodwill of Orange County’s Tierney Center for Veteran Services.

The Philanthropic Dinner and Student Recognition is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Santa Ana College campus, 1530 W. 17th St. in Santa Ana, and is sponsored by Farmers & Merchants Bank, Lentz Morrissey Architecture, Lockwood Retirement Consulting, Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) Vice Chancellor of Education Services Enrique Perez and other valued supporters. Tickets, $100 per person ($50 for RSCCD staff), are available at www.sac.edu/soldiers2scholars. For additional information, call (714) 564-6091.

All event proceeds will benefit SAC’s Veterans Resource Center. Since 2010, the Veterans Resource center has supported veterans transitioning from military service to college and civilian life, as well as active duty personnel and their dependents. Specialized services include explaining and using GI Bill® benefits in the Veterans Affairs Office; the Veterans Upward Bound college preparation program, a college retention program through the Veterans Student Support Services; academic counseling; VA employment for service connected disabled veterans through VA Vocational Rehab; and mental health, wellness and counseling services through Strength in Support.

About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College (SAC), which turned 100 years old in 2015, serves about 18,000 students each semester at its main campus in Santa Ana. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions, and provides invaluable workforce training and customized training for business and industry. In addition, another 11,000 students are served through the college’s School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center. Ranked as one of the nation’s top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students, the college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and other medical personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District.

Jonathan Medina