Community leaders, business leaders, alumni and donors team up with
the Foundation to raise funds for students
(Santa Ana, Calif.) – The Santa Ana College (SAC) Foundation President’s Circle has reached its first fundraising milestone for the year through its President’s Circle giving group. The Foundation President’s Circle signature event, hosted by Bill and Crissy Cheney, brought together over 140 guests — including students — and raised over $100,000 in student support. This fundraising milestone affirms the mission of this program and helps to continue the focus on raising more money for students in the next few months.
“Together, community leaders, business leaders, alumni and donors came together to support deserving and hardworking Santa Ana College students,” said Steven Craig, SAC alumnus, SAC Alumni Hall of Famer and businessman. “With their unwavering support, we’re able to ensure that no student who is willing to work hard in order to advance their education, career, family, and future is denied the opportunity to attend college, enter their chosen profession, and live a successful life due to financial constraints.”
Notable attendees at SAC Foundation President’s Circle Fall Mixer included Parker Kennedy, Nora Mendez, Steven Craig, and Robin Follman-Otta and over 20 Santa Ana College students.
Dr. Linda Rose, President, Santa Ana College; Nora Mendez, Santa Ana College Alumna and 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient, Community College League of California; Christina Romero, Executive Director, Santa Ana College Foundation
Parker Kennedy; Alma Muñoz, Santa Ana College Student; Ken Purcell, Chairman, Santa Ana College Alumnus and SAC Foundation Chairman
Ruddy Castro, Santa Ana College Student Veteran; Randy Salinas, Santa Ana College Student Veteran; Robin Follman-Otta; Young Jun, Santa Ana College Student Veteran; Jonathan Hernandez, Santa Ana College Student Veteran
Ruben Smith; Phillip Yarbrough, President, RSCCD Board of Trustees; Steven Craig, Santa Ana College Alumnus; Dr. Linda Rose, President, Santa Ana College; Jayson Nickle, Santa Ana College Student
“Students are at the heart of all that we do at Santa Ana College,” said Dr. Linda Rose, president, Santa Ana College. “It’s important for our supporters to see firsthand the impact that their gifts are making in the lives of SAC students, and it is equally important for SAC students to have the opportunity to connect with the leaders in our community who care about making a difference.”
The signature event also saw the launch of SAC Foundation’s President’s Scholars program. The program helps identify, support, and encourage high-achieving students early on their academic path by awarding high-impact transfer scholarship awards so they have every opportunity to succeed and ultimately transfer to a four-year institution of their choice.
“The financial barriers for many students are steep, even with financial aid packages,” said Dr. Rose. “The committed SAC Foundation and President’s Circle donors play a critical role in helping these students get to the finish line.”
Santa Ana College and its Foundation thank these generous donors:
Patrons
Parker & Sherry Kennedy
John Steffens
Erma Jean Tracy
Partners
Irving & Nancy Chase
Children's Hospital of Orange County (CHOC)
Steven Craig
Crevier Family Fund
McCarthy Building Companies
Payden & Rygel
SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
Friends
Wylie & Bette Aitken
Alvarado Smith
MaryAnne Anthony & John Smith
Ed & Dixie Arnold
Dr. Lewis Bratcher
Gary C. Burton
City of Santa Ana
Evelyn S. Airey Charitable Fund
Paul H. Cleary Jr.
Irma Esparza & Everett Jose Turner
Facilities Planning & Program Services
Sandy Fainbarg
Dennis Farrell
John Fries
Rossina Gallegos
Yolanda Garcia
Andrew Gonis
Richard & Martha Gorrie
R. Edwin Halverson
Mary Hegarty
Heather Herbert
Raymond Hicks
Dr. Bart Hoffman
Dr. Vaniethia Hubbard
Dr. James Kennedy
Eve Kikawa
Eve Kornyei Ruffatto & Michael Ruffatto
Christine Kosko
Dr. Jeffrey Lamb
Janice Love
John Lundgren
Dr. R. Douglas Manning
Lynn & Gerry Marecek
Dr. Erlinda J. Martinez
Chancellor Marvin Martinez
Mark and Janelle McLoughlin
Dr. Jeff McMillan
Sylvia Mendez
Teresa Mercado-Cota
Morrissey Associates, Inc.
Ignacio and Ruth Muñiz
Jayne & Edward Munoz
Dr. Thanh Minh Nguyen
In Memory of Gordon Niedringhaus
O.C. Dept. of Education
Joel Ohlgren
Kathy Patterson
Dr. Enrique Perez
Piper Jaffray
Ken Purcell
Fortino Rivera
Christina Romero
Dr. Linda D. Rose
Luisa Ruiz
Teresa Saldivar
James & Debra Sorensen
Paul Stanislaw
Mary Steckler
Brin Wall
Drs. Tammy & Timothy Winchell
John & Monica Zarske
About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College (SAC), which turned 100 years old in 2015, serves about 27,000 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.
