More than 150 prominent community leaders, alumni, faculty and staff joined together to hear and celebrate inspiring Santa Ana College (SAC) students and alumni success stories at the high-profile event.
(Santa Ana, Calif.) – From the Newport Beach sunset backdrop to the moving student and alumni stories, this year's Santa Ana College Foundation (SACF) President's Circle event was one to remember. More than 150 prominent community leaders, alumni, supporters, faculty and staff came together at the Newport Beach Country Club on February 10, to recognize and celebrate the stories and accomplishments of SAC students and alumni.
Guests enjoyed inspiring speeches and delicious food and beverages as they gathered to support SAC students and meet the college's new president, Dr. Annebelle Nery.
Notable attendees at this year's signature event included Senator Tom Umberg and prominent alumni, such as lawyer Wylie Aitken, Chief Executive Officer at Craig Realty Group Steven Craig, Chief Executive Officer at KCOMM Sinan Kanatsiz, and former Ambassador Gaddi Vasquez.
Santa Ana College Foundation Chairman Ken Purcell, Santa Ana College President Dr. Annebelle Nery, Santa Ana College Foundation Executive Director Christina Romero, and Santa Ana College Alumni Hall of Famer Steven Craig.
Community Leaders: Robert Escalante, Sara Escalante, Steven Craig, Daisy Sarmiento, Teresa Saldivar, Monica Guillena and The Honorable Gaddi Vasquez.
“It was very meaningful to have so many of our Santa Ana College supporters and friends gathered together in the same place to connect and to meet some of our scholars," said Santa Ana College President Dr. Annebelle Nery.
The President's Circle event also featured an announcement of the six students selected for the 2022 SACF President's Scholars cohort, which is the second cohort to be selected for this program. Newly inducted students include: Carol Cruz, Daniel Garcia, Miguel Gonzalez, Alexis Rangel, Katia Real, and Yvette Rodriguez.
“Our students are at the heart of everything we do at Santa Ana College, and I am honored to have been able to introduce our newest Foundation President's Scholars who will now have access to SAC leaders, industry experts, and will receive assistance with textbooks as well as a $5,000 scholarship upon transfer to a four-year institution," said Dr. Nery.
The President's Scholars program identifies, supports and encourages high-achieving students early on their academic path by providing high-impact transfer scholarship awards and other strategic services to ensure students have every opportunity to succeed.
The 2022 Santa Ana College Foundation President's Scholars
“Receiving the Santa Ana College President's scholarship will empower me to go further on my academic journey, by affording myself more time to dedicate to my collegiate career," said Yvette Rodriguez.
Supporting SAC students through the President's Circle and President's Scholars program allows the Foundation and its generous donors to work toward long-term goals, including the cultivation of students' academic, personal and professional development and a strong foundation for the future of SAC.
To join SACF or to learn more about how to help SAC students, visit sac.edu/foundation or rtgcampaign.org or call (714) 654-6091.
About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College (SAC), which turned 100 years old in 2015, serves about 18,000 students each semester. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and provides invaluable workforce 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 medical personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District.
