SBVC Foundation Quarterly Newsletter
March 2022 | Issue 4
Recent News
In the News:

The SBVC Foundation received a Certificate of Recognition on February 18, 2022, by the California Legislature Assembly, which was presented in honor of the SCE Clean Energy Champion Award.

The SBVC Foundation also participated in Southern California Edison’s (SCE’s) 20th Annual Black History Month (BHM) Signature Celebration. The event took place on February 18 and was hosted by the Business Customer Division. The SBVC Foundation was this year’s Clean Energy Champion Award Winner. The event honored businesses and community organizations across Southern California for their commitment to clean energy, community involvement, and diversity.

At the end of Academic Year 2020-2021, the SBVC Foundation awarded over $383,000 in student scholarships (a 70% increase from the prior year). Additionally, the Foundation endowment grew from $3.9 Million to over $5 Million.
Grant Spotlight: Edison International
In the fall of 2021, Edison International awarded the San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) Foundation a total of $75,000 to support SBVC’s Clean Energy Hybrid and Electric Vehicle (EV) Technician Program and STEM scholarships for SBVC students. SBVC’s Clean Energy Hybrid/EV Technician Program grant award was $50,000. The program's goals are to increase the availability of electric vehicle (EV) training, reach additional students interested in the training, and give students sought-after clean energy/EV skills that make them more competitive for higher-wage job opportunities.

The program also includes campus outreach activities, consisting of faculty attending career fairs at local high schools and community events, developing informational materials about the 
program, and disseminating the materials to promote electric/hybrid clean technology 
programs. It is led by SBVC faculty chair of the Diesel Department, Berchman “Kenny” Melancon. Faculty conducted community outreach in the winter of 2019 and spring of 2020 at Redlands High School, Pacific High School, and an event at the Fontana Speedway to promote SBVC’s clean energy programs. This outreach prioritized meetings with community members, high school counselors, students, and parents. As a component of the Clean Energy Hybrid/EV Technician Program grant, five student scholarships were awarded to students graduating with their certifications in June 2021. The $1,000 scholarships were awarded to Christian Cabada, Eric Nutter, Alberto Sanchez, Garrett Stater, and Zhe Wang. Scholarships were determined by department faculty.
Community Support Spotlight:
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
In the fall of 2021, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (San Manuel) partnered with the San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) Foundation in transforming student's lives by donating $100,000 in new grant funds to support first-year students enrolled in the Valley Bound Commitment program. Valley Bound is a program that aims to reduce economic barriers that may deter academic 
success. Since 2008, San Manuel has committed nearly $2 Million to support this impactful program.

Now entering its fourteenth year of providing a free first year of college to local high school graduates entering college, the Valley-Bound Commitment Program at San Bernardino Valley College serves 20 high schools from our local area.

What began as a pilot program for 31 students in 2008 has blossomed into an award-winning program that has led to greater levels of student success for hundreds of Inland Empire residents. Since its inception in 2008, participants in the Valley-Bound Commitment (VBC) have achieved higher grades than their peers, continue their education beyond their first year at a higher rate than typical students, transferred to four-year colleges throughout California, and even spoken at Commencement ceremonies.

The program is aimed at removing all economic barriers to the first year of college while providing critical guidance and support that is essential to continue striving towards individual educational and career goals.
2020-2021 Annual Report
Coming Soon!
San Bernardino Valley College Foundation is gearing up to release our 2020-2021 Annual Report. Each year the SBVC Foundation releases the report as a review of the year's events, which also includes:
 
  • A message from the 2020-21 SBVC President
  • A message from the 2020-21 SBVC Foundation President
  • A message from the 2020-21 SBVC Foundation Director
  • Articles:

  • Grant Spotlight: Edison International STEM Scholarships & Clean Technology Program
  • Community Support Spotlight: San Manuel Band of Mission Indians
  • Spotlighting our Success
  • Alumni Success: Zane Rice
  • Remembering SBVC Mentors

  • Donor Appreciation
  • Financial Statements  
  • Ways to help support SBVC students 

Upcoming Events

Date: April 1, 2022
Time: 5:30 PM
Attire: Semi-formal
Location:
Athletics Complex
San Bernardino Valley College
701 South Mt. Vernon Ave.
San Bernardino, CA. 92410
San Bernardino Valley College Celebrating 95 Years

San Bernardino Valley College Foundation invites you to celebrate 95 years of educational excellence at our "Great Expectations" Gala event on April 01, 20222, at the Athletics Complex on the SBVC campus.

Dozens of SBVC alumni will take their place among the ranks of other notable community members whom we are so proud to call alumni and friends of SBVC. The semi-formal event will feature a catered dinner, live music, a silent auction, and a raffle. Over 450 guests are expected.

Proceeds from the event will be used to fund student scholarships. For more information on sponsorship opportunities and event tickets, please visit www.sbvcfoundation.org/95gala.

To nominate distinguished SBVC Alumni, please email: mlayne@valleycollege.edu before March 17, 2022.
Remembering Those Who Made an Impact on So Many
In Memoriam

Dr. Margaret Hill, who dedicated most of her life to education, passed away at the age of 81 on December 19th. She had served as a member of the Board of Education for San Bernardino City Unified School since 2011. Former San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Herbert Fischer, recalled first meeting Hill while working on John Woods’ campaign to be the first Black person to serve on the San Bernardino City Unified School District Board. She subsequently became Fischer’s assistant principal at San Bernardino High School. Hill also worked with Fischer during his decade as San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, serving as Assistant Superintendent of Student Services. Dr. Hill was appointed to the Community Action Partnership Board of Directors in July 2009 and was a member of several local boards and committees, including the Black Culture Foundation and the San Bernardino African American Committee. She founded Maggie’s Kids, a nonprofit foundation providing financial support to youth and families with emergency needs.

Lois Carson, former San Bernardino
Community College Trustee and SBVC Foundation Emeritus passed away July 14th, eleven days after her 90th birthday. Carson spent a lifetime of volunteer service, which started as a child and continued while she and her husband raised six children. She worked as a teacher, then as Director of UC Riverside’s Upward Bound program. Carson worked as Deputy Director of San Bernardino County Community Action Partnership and was subsequently hired as Executive Director of Community Action Partnership of Riverside County. She had formed partnerships with
organizations and networks that serve low-income families, such as the Riverside County Consortium for Early Learning Services and the Coachella Valley Housing Union. After 30 years with Riverside County, she retired, but her life work didn’t stop after retirement. Lois served 24 years on the SBCCD Board of Trustees and 30 years on the SBVC Foundation Board of Directors.

Marta Macias Brown advocated for human rights, social justice, and equal access to education. Marta was also the original editor of El Chicano newspaper (the first grassroots publication of the IECN newsgroup). She meant a lot to many people and will be missed. Marta passed away peacefully at home on December 17 at the age of 77. Marta was born in the year of D-Day and lived the narrative of Latina/o and Chicana/o empowerment and women’s assertion of self-determination and equality. She resided in Riverside and was a native of Inland California. Marta was a longtime public servant and a former member of the California State Bar Board of Governors. She was also a mother, surviving spouse, sister, friend, and champion of the legacy of her late husband, Congressman George Brown. Marta Macias joined his staff and worked with Brown for years before the two married and enjoyed a decade that the Congressman described as “the happiest of his life.

Edward Joseph Szumski was a retired SBVC electronics professor. “Ed” passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 18th at the age of 72. Ed earned an Associate of Arts degree in Electronics Communications Technology and then earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees at California State University San Bernardino. He taught electricity and electronics at SBVC and retired as a professor in May 2013. At the SBVC annual awards celebrations, Ed received the Outstanding Service Award five times, 1996, 2001, 2005, 2012, and 2013. He also received the Honored Retiree Award twice in 2014 and 2015. He was considered the unofficial social chair of SBVC. For 21 years, Ed composed most of the FAN Mail, an SBVC Faculty Association Newsletter where he wrote campus news stories, made announcements and listed personnel celebrating birthdays. He also was the one who sent out hundreds of birthday cards to the SBVC community. Ed also served as President of the Academic Senate (1989-90), the SBVC Alumni Association (2004-06), and the SBVC Foundation Board as the Foundation’s Alumni Association representative.
Join the Alumni Association
Former SBVC students, faculty, staff, and administration are welcome to join the
San Bernardino Valley College Alumni Association.

We will keep you up to date on SBVC events, news, and alumni successes!

SBVC Foundation Board of Directors 2021-2022
Dr. Dennis Byas
Foundation President       
Ms. Beverly Powell
Foundation Vice President
Ms. Tenille Norris
Foundation Treasurer
Dr. Scott Thayer
Foundation Secretary
Dr. Susan Bangasser
John Echevarria
Robert Garcia
Scott Henderson
Gary Kelly
Dr. Kenneth Lane
Justin R. Martinez
Kerry E. Neal
Patricia Nickols-Butler
Robert O'Brine
Shelby Obershaw
Lisa Obershaw Durham
Joseph Paulino
Thomas Robles
George San Martin
Allynn Scott
Michael Sola
Hon. Lawrence Stirling
Dexter Thomas
Dr. Anne L. Viricel
SBCCD Board of Trustees
2021-2022

Gloria Macias Harrison
Board Chair 
Dr. Stephanie Houston
Vice Chair
Dr. Anne L. Viricel
Board Clerk
Trustees
Dr. Nathan Gonzales
John Longville
Frank Reyes
Joseph R. Williams

Student Trustees
Lauren Ashlock
Elena Sanchez
SBCCD Chancellor
Diana Z. Rodriguez

Executive Vice Chancellor
Jose Torres

Vice Chancellor of Human Resources/
Police Services
Kristina Hannon

San Bernardino Valley College Foundation Staff
-Phylicia Sanchez, Development Coordinator
-Mike Layne, Foundation Director

Suggest an article or alumni spotlight by sending an email to:
HOW TO SUPPORT SBVC
SBVC students are grateful for the direct support provided by scholarships. The SBVC Foundation also helps college programs with equipment, supplies, and activities to enrich the student experience. Additionally, there are many planned giving opportunities that will create a legacy impact, such as listing the SBVC Foundation in your estate, or as a beneficiary in your retirement/life insurance accounts.

If you are interested in helping students achieve their educational and career goals, the SBVC Foundation can help! Contact us to discuss how your gift can make the difference for our students and community. The Foundation is a non-profit 509(a)(3) organization; therefore, contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible.