The Pasadena City College (PCC) Foundation’s first scholarship fundraising gala, “PCC Celebrates Student Success,” held Saturday, May 16, raised record-setting net proceeds of nearly $1.1 million for scholarships to PCC students.
Proceeds will underwrite more than 200 additional scholarships every year, increasing the number of annual scholarships by nearly one-third to 850 and scholarship giving to more than $850,000, up from the more than $650,000 in scholarships it now awards annually.
More than 500 guests attended the evening event, which was held on the PCC campus. The gala was chaired by Pasadena Area Community College District trustee Bill Thomson and his wife, Carol, and noted Southern California philanthropist Alyce Williamson, co-chair.
“‘PCC Celebrates Student Success’ is one of the most successful, if not the most successful, fundraising events ever held in the San Gabriel Valley,” said John Gregory, PCC Foundation board president. “We are indebted to our supporters whose generosity will help change the future for thousands of PCC students who otherwise could not achieve their dream of a college education.”
Every year, PCC students face a shortfall of more than $50 million in financial aid – even with assistance from Pell grants, college district tuition waivers, and work study and student loan programs. Nearly 70 percent of PCC’s 25,000 students need financial assistance to pay for not only tuition but books, supplies, food, housing, transportation and, in some cases, child care.
Honorees:
The PCC Foundation recognized three major contributors and supporters who have played key roles in supporting the mission of the college and foundation:
- Bill and Brenda Galloway – Real estate developers and philanthropists Bill Galloway, a PCC alumnus, and his wife, Brenda, operate Summit Enterprises, their family-owned residential commercial property investment firm.
- The Boone/Fetter Family – MaryLou Boone and her children, Lynda Boone-Fetter (husband Blaine Fetter), Susanne Boone and Nick Boone, as well as her grandchild, Nic Fetter, have made philanthropy a family tradition spanning three generations.
- Pasadena Tournament of Roses – PCC’s long relationship with the parade began in 1930, when the college’s marching band became the official Tournament of Roses Honor Band. In 2014, the honor band debuted new uniforms, which were purchased with financial support from the Tournament of Roses. Established in 1983, the nonprofit Tournament of Roses Foundation has awarded more than $2.5 million in grants to more than 170 Pasadena-area community organizations.