(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) – It was a night of food, fun, and fundraising, as San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) celebrated 95 years of excellence at its Great Expectations Gala.
Held April 1st on the SBVC campus, this sold-out event brought in more than $175,000 through sponsorships, seats, a silent auction, an opportunity drawing and additional donations. Amazon was the gala’s largest sponsor at $25,000, followed by Stater Bros. Charities and Edison with $10,000 each.
All net profits from the gala will support future student scholarships, and San Bernardino Community College District Chancellor Dr. Diana Z. Rodriguez thanked the audience for “really believing in the power of education.”
“We’re holding the door open for the next generation that follows us so that they, too, can have opportunities for a better life,” Rodriguez said.
The gala was also a celebration of 95 Distinguished Alumni. One of them, Dexter Thomas, performed onstage with a jazz band. SBVC Interim President Dr. Scott Thayer praised the college’s alumni during his remarks, saying that “for almost a century, SBVC has helped to build up and drive the many businesses that flourish in our region.”
“Throughout that time, we have produced over 850,000 global alumni in every field imaginable, winning so many awards, recognitions and accolades they are difficult to count,” he continued.
The night was “a resounding success,” SBVC Foundation Director Mike Layne said, adding that his team is incredibly grateful for all of the support from the community and stakeholders.
“The event allowed us to showcase the many positive impacts that San Bernardino Valley College and its students have brought to our local communities for the past 95 years,” said Layne.
About San Bernardino Valley College:
Named one of the top 150 community colleges in the country in 2017 and one of the top 10 online colleges in California in 2020, San Bernardino Valley College is a comprehensive community college in the heart of Southern California that offers over 150 degrees, certificates and transfer programs and serves more than 13,000 students every semester. SBVC is part of the San Bernardino Community College District.
