DONOR PROFILE
Alberto Radillo Scholarship Fund

In 2005, Arline Radillo Greene was inducted into the Santa Ana College Alumni Hall of Fame. A 1970 SAC graduate, Arline has built a very successful career in broadcasting as well as assisting her husband, Ted, in creating several companies in the medical field. She has also been a generous source of support for the college. But our donor profile this month, focuses on the generosity of her father, Alberto.

Alberto Radillo was born in Santa Ana in 1928, the third of five children in a low-income, working-class family. His parents divorced when he was very young, and he was forced to quit school after the seventh grade to go to work and help support his mother and siblings. At the age of 18, he married and within a year had his first child.

In 1950, when he was just 22, Alberto recognized that people in his community would not amount to anything if they did not get an education. Striving to make a difference, he fought against the economic restrictions and cultural limitations of that era. Along with a handful of friends, he founded "The Gemini Club," named for the coincidence that all of them were born under that sign. Their mission was to raise funds for scholarships and promote the importance of higher education. Over the years, the Gemini Club made college possible for hundreds of young people who wouldn't have otherwise been able to obtain a college education.

Alberto served as president of the club for three years and was involved in the group for over 20 years. He was proud of his accomplishments, but also extremely proud of the club members and the community that helped make his vision a reality.

In 1991 Alberto lost a long battle with cancer. He was survived by his wife of 45 years, four college educated children, and six grandchildren (one in college and three with degrees). He was a proud and dedicated family man who will always be remembered by his wonderful smile and welcoming presence. He loved people, and it showed.

In honor of her father and his remarkable service to the Hispanic community, Arline started the Alberto Radillo Memorial Scholarship in 2000. Each year, Arline returns to SAC to help select the recipients of the scholarship and continue her father's legacy for generations to come.


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