The foundation made the announcement during the college’s virtual Centennial Celebration event on May 22. The $5.4 million puts the organization over halfway toward its funding goal for the Hancock Promise program, which provides the first year of tuition and fees at Hancock free for local high school students.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity of all our sponsors and donors,” said Hancock Executive Director of College Advancement Jon Hooten. “They’re building a lasting legacy that will provide an affordable, quality college education for local students for generations to come. I can think of no better way to honor the 100-year history of this college.”

The funds were donated by a diverse group of local businesses, organizations, and individuals. Local McDonald’s restaurants were a Presenting Sponsor of the event, along with CoastHills Credit Union, which served as the event’s Millennial Sponsor. The foundation also received a $50,000 pledge from the Murphy Foundation during the event. 

Hancock, established in 1920, began celebrating its centennial anniversary in May 2020, capping off the celebration with the May 22, 2021, virtual event, which paid homage to the college’s last 100 years with live performances of songs from the 1920s to the present day from Grammy-award-winning artist Louie Ortega, Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket, Santa Maria native Pryor Baird with his band Pryor & Lee, PCPA artist-in-residence Yusef Seevers, and more. The event was emceed by Santa Barbara County 5^th District Supervisor Steve Lavagnino.

As part of the event, the college also announced its Centennial Class of Distinguished Alumni, a list of 100 former Hancock students who achieved distinction in their life and work.

The list of alumni spanned the course of Hancock’s past 100 years in the community, beginning in the 1920s and continuing through to the present day. The names on the list were nominated by the public and selected by a committee of college staff and community members.

The diverse group of distinguished alumni included nationally recognized names such as Super Bowl-winning NFL Coach John Marshall, former U.S. Coast Guard commandant Owen W. Siler, and Grammy-nominated musician Tommy Soulati Shepherd, as well as well-respected local alumni such as former Santa Maria mayor George S. Hobbs, businessman and former AHC trustee Larry Lahr, and Santa Maria Valley YMCA CEO Shannon Seifert, Santa Ynez Valley Star Publisher Raiza Giorgi, among many others.

“These 100 alumni distinguished themselves through their lives, work, achievements and service to their community,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “They are an excellent representation of how our college has changed the odds for local students and our community over the past 100 years.”

The virtual Centennial Celebration took place the day after the college’s 2021 commencement, which included more than 500 members of the college’s centennial graduating class participating in a drive-up graduation ceremony.

To learn more about Hancock’s centennial and to view the list of distinguished alumni, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/100. To learn more about the Hancock Promise or to donate, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/foundation.

The post Centennial celebration pushes AHC Promise Fund past $5 million mark appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Staff Report

The Allan Hancock College Foundation Board of Directors added two new members to its ranks as the organization continues its mission to support the college and its students in northern Santa Barbara County. 

George Grama of Orcutt and Erica Jane Flores of the Santa Ynez Valley were elected with unanimous votes to serve three-year terms on the foundation board.

Flores, a fourth-generation Santa Ynez Valley native, is the development and communications director for Santa Ynez Valley People Helping People (PHP). Before joining PHP, she was the director of development for UCSB Arts & Lectures, which was recently awarded a 2020 Local Heroes Award for their leadership in performing arts and public affairs. 

Flores received a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business from California State University, Chico, and was named a Distinguished 21^st Century Graduate of the institution. In the most recent election, Flores earned a seat as a trustee of the College School District in Santa Ynez and was elected as vice president of the board.

“We are thrilled to welcome Erica to our board of directors,” says Jon Hooten, executive director of College Advancement. “She brings a passion for education and a commitment to the Santa Ynez Valley to our work of supporting often-overlooked students in our district.”

Grama is currently the director of Focal Plane Operations at Raytheon Vision Systems, managing the front-end manufacturing operations at both the Lompoc and Goleta facilities. 

His academic background includes a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Central Florida and a master’s degree in business administration from Florida State University. In addition, he possesses professional certifications in executive leadership and change leadership from Cornell University. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, kayaking and fishing with his family across Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

“George is a great addition to the AHC Foundation,” said Hooten. “His industry experience combined with his dedication to education will be valuable on our board.”

The Allan Hancock College Foundation Board of Directors includes nearly 30 community members from the Santa Maria, Lompoc and Santa Ynez valleys. Since its inception in April 1977, the foundation has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships to Hancock students. The foundation also oversees the Hancock Promise fund. The Hancock Promise provides area high school graduates with the opportunity to receive their first year free of tuition and fees at Allan Hancock College. For more information about the Hancock Promise and to make a gift, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/promise. For more information about the Allan Hancock College Foundation, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/foundation.

The post AHC Foundation elects two new board members appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

Students and donors received celebrity treatment during a star-studded evening in the Joe White Memorial Gymnasium at the Allan Hancock College Foundation Scholarship Banquet on Thursday evening. This year, a total of 410 scholarships, worth nearly $500,000, was awarded to 318 Allan Hancock College students.

Hancock student Annalise Ketz received the prestigious Marian Hancock Scholarship. Named in honor of the late wife of Captain G. Allan Hancock, the scholarship is awarded to one outstanding student each year who exemplifies service to the school, scholastic achievement and personal conduct.

“I just want to thank you all for this incredible honor,” said Ketz, who will transfer to the United States Naval Academy in the fall, moments after her name was announced as the scholarship winner. “I think it is just as important to remember where you come from, your history; never forget your roots and who you are. I am so grateful to the college for giving me my start. I really do feel like I can go anywhere.”

Ketz will graduate with high honors and a 4.0 grade point average on Friday. She will transfer to the Naval Academy with an associate degree in mathematics and an emphasis in physics. Ketz plans to continue studying science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and obtain her bachelor’s degree in nuclear or electrical engineering. Ultimately, she would like to contribute to the nation’s space exploration program as an astronaut.

“I want to help empower women to seek careers in STEM and do STEM with excellence,” added Ketz. “I want to challenge women to reshape their thoughts on how they can use their talents to help people by using engineering skills.”

A scholarship committee composed of 15 Hancock faculty and staff determined the recipients from more than 1,100 applications. Applicants did not know the specific scholarship or dollar amount until they met the donor at the reception.

“I’d like to thank the 200 donors for investing in us and supporting us,” said Frankie Maldonado, president of Hancock’s Associated Student Body Government. “Your generosity means we can pay for tuition and books and in many cases rent, gas, childcare and even food. Your gift means we can work fewer hours, focus on school and continue to rise to new heights.”

Since its creation in 1977, the foundation has helped thousands of students succeed and pursue a college education. The theme of this year’s event was “Rising Stars” as a tribute to the scholarship recipients.

 “Perhaps it is because of my own personal experience that I know first-hand the importance of receiving a scholarship and feeling directed, nurtured, connected and valued,” said Nohemy Ornelas, Hancock associate superintendent/vice president of Student Services. “I know the importance of having someone in your corner encouraging you along the way.”

In 2001, Ornelas received a scholarship at the very same banquet. Seventeen years later, she gave the keynote address at the event.

 “You’re already on the right track by pursuing a college education,” she told students. “Whether you are about to continue your education here or transfer to a four-year university, the message I have for you is to embrace the concept that you matter, and it is important to recognize your talents and abilities.”

The foundation awarded eight new scholarships this year including the Boricua Scholarship provided by former Hancock Superintendent/President Jose M. Ortiz, Ph.D. The foundation also established the Elizabeth Osborne Scholarship. Osborne received the Marian Hancock Scholarship in 1981. She currently teaches high school in the Santa Maria Valley.

Since 2013, the Allan Hancock College Foundation has awarded 1,948 students a total of $2,868,000 in scholarships. This was the fifth straight year the foundation awarded 400 or more scholarships totaling around $500,000.

The college will host its 97^th annual Commencement Friday, May 25, at 1 p.m. in The Commons. During the 2017-18 academic year a record 1,009 students earned a combined 1,527 associate degrees. Several hundred students are expected to participate in the ceremony. The ceremony will be streamed live online at www.hancockcollege.edu.

The post Rising stars recognized at the AHC Foundation Scholarship Banquet appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.

“We are dedicated to changing the odds for our community,” said Hancock Superintendent/President Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D. “The Promise ensures higher education is as accessible and affordable for our community as possible.”

Promise students will save at least $1,200 in tuition and fees, register for classes early with priority registration, set an academic plan for success with personalized counseling, as well as receive free tutoring and other academic support services.

To be eligible for the Promise, a student must enroll at Hancock directly after graduating from a high school located within the district, which covers northern Santa Barbara County and Cuyama. It applies to students who graduate from private, public, charter or home schools, and people who earn their GED or pass the California High School Proficiency Exam as long as they are located in the district.

In order to be eligible, students must also complete financial aid applications, register for a minimum of 12 units in both the fall and spring semesters, maintain a 2.0 grade point average in the fall to be eligible for the Promise in the spring and complete at least one math and one English class during the first year if required for their major.

“We know that full-time students have better performance and completion rates. The Hancock Promise allows our students to travel down pathways to success faster with more direction and guidance,” added Walthers.

The Hancock Promise is a four-step plan to provide continuous support and guidance for students from elementary school through college. Though not the first community college in the state to launch a promise program, Hancock is the first to focus on early outreach to elementary and junior high students. The Bulldog Bound component targets fifth through eighth grade students and their families to develop a college-going culture. Through outreach events, students will become familiar with the campus, programs and services.

“No other Promise program in the state makes outreach to fifth through eighth graders a priority,” said Nohemy Ornelas, Hancock’s associate superintendent/vice president, Student Services. “Getting students excited about college at an early age will have a ripple effect in their own families and in the whole community.”

The college will host several Bulldog Bound events throughout the year. Fifth graders and their families are invited to catch Hancock football host San Bernardino on Saturday, September 30, at 2 p.m. Hancock also plans to expand its annual Career Exploration Day on Friday, October 6, to benefit junior high and high school students.

The second component, Path to Promise, helps high school students prepare for success in college. Students will become more familiar with Hancock programs and services through a variety of workshops and outreach events at the college, such as the Young Educated Latino Leaders (YELL) Conference, Career Exploration Day and concurrent enrollment. The college will also continue to offer counseling, orientation and educational planning at the high schools.

“We want students and their families to understand and believe a college education is possible,” said Ornelas. “The Path to Promise is about students feeling supported, engaged, directed, valued and nurtured by the college throughout high school. When they set foot on campus as freshmen, it will already feel like home.”

The path leads graduating high school students to the Hancock Promise and one year of free tuition and fees at the college. They will receive priority registration and be eligible for countless services and programs to help them thrive. The college’s commitment continues into the second year through the fourth and final component of the Promise, the Extended Promise. The Extended Promise focuses on ensuring second-year success with a degree, certificate or transfer to a four-year university.

“During students’ second year, Promise students will continue to receive direction and services to help them succeed – counseling, assistance with scholarships, transfer applications and job interview preparation,” said Ornelas. “The bottom line is the college will focus on ensuring students succeed.”

Data show that 37 percent of graduating seniors from district high schools enroll at Hancock. The college’s goal with the Hancock Promise is to increase that rate.

The Hancock Promise is funded entirely through private donations, grants and corporate gifts. With this announcement, the college is launching a five-year, $10 million endowment campaign through the Allan Hancock College Foundation to ensure the sustainability of the Promise.

“There is already a long history of community support for students at Hancock,” said Valerie Moya Boice, president of the Allan Hancock College Foundation Board. “The Promise allows more students the opportunity to benefit from the wonderful programs at the college!”

Long-time Santa Maria Valley resident Doris Lahr and her family were the inaugural donors. Companies including Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), Marian Regional Medical Center and AERA Energy have already pledged their support to the Hancock Promise.

“At Aera, we’re proud of our partnership with Allan Hancock College and our investments in educational opportunities,” said Rick Rust, public affairs analyst with Aera Energy. “We are excited that the Hancock Promise will empower families to see their students as college bound from a young age. We look forward to working with the college to build stronger communities together.”

For more information about the Hancock Promise, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/promise , send an email to promise@hancockcollege.edu or call (805) 347-7550.

The post Hancock Promise gives local high schoolers first year free starting Fall 2018 appeared first on Santa Ynez Valley Star.