Changingthe odds

Changingthe odds

AHC FOUNDATION TO HONOR AGNES GROGAN AND CELEBRATE 40 YEARS OF COMMUNITY SUPPORTThe Allan Hancock College Foundation is culminating its 40th anniversary year with a special gala on October 21, 2017, at the ArtCraft Paint Hangar at the Santa Maria Airport.

“This is really going to be a one-of-a-kind event,” noted Jim Bray, foundation board member and gala co-chair. “This historic hangar is a perfect venue to allow us to go back to the early aviation days of the 1920s to the 1940s. We’re grateful to ArtCraft Paint and Esmeralda and Teresa Arredondo for the use of this special facility.”

The gala’s aviation theme is a nod to the Hancock College of Aeronautics, founded on October 21, 1928, with a goal to teach young men to fly. Over the course of almost two decades, more than 200,000 pilots trained at the field, including 8,400 aviation cadets for the U.S. Army Air Corps, a precursor to the U.S. Air Force. The former site is now home to Allan Hancock College.

Historical aircraft will be on display during the gala. The Allan Hancock College Jazz Band will greet guests as they arrive, and the Molly Ringwald Project band will ensure dancing and 1980s songs cap the night. Dinner will be provided by Field to Table catering, and Hancock culinary students will make and serve all of the desserts.

“Guests should be prepared to step back in time for an unbelievable aviation experience,” said Bray. “We’ve got some great things planned like Captain Hancock’s Flight School, photo booths, a trivia board and timeline.”

Thanks to the superb acting talents of Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) students, renowned aviator Amelia Earhart will mingle among guests. Other actors will portray Captain G. Allan Hancock; Ellen Church, one of the first airline flight attendants; and Eugene Bullard, the first African-American military pilot.

A special limited edition sparkling wine, Hancock Aviator, a 2014 Blanc De Noirs, has been commissioned in honor of the occasion. The wine, produced by the college’s Viticulture and Enology Foundation, will be available the night of the gala and can also be purchased by the public for $40 per bottle. To do so, visit charityauction.bid/40thanniversarygala.

The event will also honor Agnes Grogan, a long-time dean and dance instructor at the college, who spearheaded the student scholarship program and worked collaboratively with college presidents and community leaders to develop the foundation into a thriving 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Former foundation executive directors Deborah Peterson, Barbara Yoshioka, Tim Flemming and Jeff Cotter helped the foundation achieve other milestones through the years. And today, dedicated foundation employees Toni McCracken, Marlyn Cox, Natalie Rucobo and Nancy Gastelum work with the foundation’s current board of directors to help the college change the odds and ensure that Hancock students “Start here. Go anywhere.”

While the gala event is a celebration of the foundation’s anniversary, it will also highlight the Hancock Promise, the college’s new program offering a first year of free tuition and fees to district students who enroll directly after their high school graduation.

Gala tickets are going fast. To purchase, visit www.hancockcollege.edu/foundation40 or call 805-925-2004

Agnes Grogan

Eugene Bullard

Class 45a, 1944

Amelia EarhartCaptain g. Hancock

A PROMISE TO THE COMMUNITY…The year was 1929. The place was Hancock Field. Captain G. Allan Hancock, a prominent state and community leader, opened the Hancock College of Aeronautics as a nonprofit educational institution with a mission to ensure students had access to “the highest possible standards at the lowest possible cost.”

Today, that original vision lives on at Allan Hancock College. As one of 114 community colleges in the state of California, Hancock provides quality educational opportunities that enhance student learning and the creative, intellectual, cultural and economic vitality of our diverse community. Now, thanks to the Hancock Promise, access to higher education is within the reach of all high school graduates within the district—taking Captain Hancock’s vision to an even higher level.

“I think the captain would be quite pleased to see how students really ‘Start here, Go anywhere,’” said Kevin G. Walthers, superintendent/president of Allan Hancock College. “Our faculty, staff, trustees and administrators have worked hard to change the odds. We believe in the capabilities of our students and the impact that access to higher education can have in our community.”

While other community colleges in California have launched similar tuition-free programs, Hancock is the only one to offer a four-step

comprehensive outreach program that begins in the fifth grade. Bulldog Bound will expose elementary and junior high school students and their families to various careers – including academic, vocational and technical options, and set the stage for a college-going culture. Hancock will be working collaboratively with local corporations and businesses such as Aera Energy, Marian Regional Medical Center and Pacific Gas and Electric Company to highlight the comprehensive options available. Students and their parents will be able to attend a number of free events and programs on campus throughout the academic year.

Bulldog Bound activities began in earnest in September 2017.

“So far, more than 1,900 fifth- and sixth- graders have already enrolled in the on-campus events,” said Susan Houghton, Hancock’s executive director of College Advancement. “These fun programs like Bulldog Builders, Sports with Spike, Drama Dogs or Cyan-o-Spike are designed to showcase the educational and career paths available to any student in our community.”

“The Hancock Promise will empower families to see their students as college-bound from a young age,” said Rick Rust, public affairs project director, Aera Energy. “We’re proud of our partnership and we look forward to working with the college to build stronger communities together.”

Phase two, Path to Promise, focuses on the high school years, reinforcing connections and the skills needed to stay focused and succeed. The third phase, Hancock Promise, will

afford one year of free tuition and fees to any student who enrolls following graduation from a district high school. Students will save approximately $1,200 but must enroll in 12 units, take English and math, if outlined in their student education plan and maintain a 2.0 grade point average in order to qualify for spring semester funding.

“The Hancock Promise is an incredible opportunity, but it also requires a commitment by the student. We want our students to take this seriously, and we’ll work with them on multiple levels to assist in academic readiness and course completion,” said Nohemy Ornelas, associate superintendent/vice president of student services.

Research provided by the college’s office of Institutional Effectiveness shows that more than one-third of freshman students start in

English and math classes below the required four-year university transfer levels. “We know that by tackling these important skills first, it can lead to even greater academic success,” said Ornelas.

“Marian Regional Medical Center is proud to support the Hancock Promise, which offers opportunities and a solid educational pathway for our youth. It is a program that will make a difference and reflects the understanding and interconnectedness of our community,” said Kerin Mase, President & CEO, Marian Regional Medical Center.

The last phase, Extended Promise, assists students in their second year at Hancock by identifying scholarship and transfer opportunities and in ensuring students complete their

courses and, if applicable, graduate or transfer.

“Many of our students are first-generation college attendees,” said Walthers. “Navigating transfers to four-year universities or accessing career opportunities is often new territory for both the student and their families. The Hancock Promise is more than just free tuition. We’re committed to helping our students succeed in life.”

The first cohort of Promise students will start classes in August 2018, but the application period is already underway. “High school seniors can begin the process now,” said Ornelas. “We’re asking everyone to begin by completing either the Federal Application for Financial Student Aid (FAFSA) or the California Dream Act Application.” An easy-to-read student checklist for the Promise can be found online at www.hancockcollege.edu/promise.

“PG&E is proud to help support Allan Hancock College’s Promise Program,” said Ed Halpin, Pacific Gas and Electric Company senior vice president, generation, and chief nuclear officer. “Our company strongly believes in giving

back and strengthening the communities PG&E has the privilege to serve. As part of that commitment, investing in education and making higher education accessible to all is a critical part of building a better workforce for the entire region. We applaud the leadership, faculty and staff of Allan Hancock College for all they do in northern Santa Barbara County, including helping to educate a new generation who will contribute in so many ways to our local community.”

The college’s namesake, Captain G. Allan Hancock, was a man who wore many hats and had many occupations. He was a farmer, scientist, sea captain, oilman, banker and business leader, among others. A life-long learner, he believed that all students – regardless of their ability to pay – should have access to the benefit of an education. The Hancock Promise is setting the stage for dreams to take flight for Northern Santa Barbara County students and Captain Hancock would be quite proud.

“The Hancock Promise will empower families to see their students as college- bound from a young age...”

– Rick Rust

“It is a program that will make a difference and reflects the understanding and interconnectedness of our community...”

– Kerin Mase

“...making higher education accessible to all is a critical part of building a better workforce for the entire region.” – Ed Halpin

The Hancock Promise is designed to transform lives by placing higher education within the reach of everyone. The Allan Hancock College Foundation has launched a $10 million, five-year endowment campaign to provide private support in perpetuity. The Foundation’s 40th anniversary gala will raise funds for the Hancock Promise Fund so that students can continue to ‘Start here. Go anywhere.’

For more information on the Hancock Promise Fund, contact the AHC Foundation at 805-347-7550 or visit www.hancockcollege.edu/promise

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THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Allan Hancock College and the Allan Hancock College Foundation gratefully acknowledge the partnership and support from these community leaders:

Carrick AdamRebecca AlarcioBrian K. Allison

Carol AndersMonica BeebeTim BennettFred Bittle

Michael BlackRick Blaemire

Valerie Moya BoiceFred BranderJames H. BrayJackie BrunelloFrank Campo

Michael J. Carroll

Jay Edwards CernyPatrick ChandlerRobert M. Coe

R. Bruce CogginEd Cora

Tony CossaLee-Volker Cox

Donna CrossPatrick CusackMaggi Daane

Ernest W. DeGasparisTerry Dworaczyk, Ed.D.

José EscobedoBrenda Farias Estrada

John Everett

Kate FergusonJames H. Fields

Judge Rogelio FloresJudy Frost

Burt FugateMichael T. GallowayMichael L. GibsonBenny GonzalesAgnes Grogan

Jeffery HallRobert J. Hall, Ph.D.

Mary HarveyMargaret S. Hesse

Rob Holdsambeck, Ed.D.Clyde S. Ikeda, D.D.S.

Mark A. JacksonRichard K. JacobyJoannie JamiesonGeorge JohnsonBernard E. Jones

Mario Juarez, Esq.Robert B. Klug

Doris T. LahrLarry Lahr

Larry J. LettersAnn Foxworthy Lewellen, Ph.D.Retired Judge

Royce R. LewellenTom Lopez

Bob LotwalaJean Madsen

Robert ManningJudy Markline

Vincent T. Martinez, Esq.John G. MartinoJohn W. McCord

Patrick D. McDermottLinda Metaxas

Herb MillerCole Minnick

Dean E. MinorSusan Moats

Robert Moss, M.D.Mary K. Nanning

Sam Orozco, D.P.A.José M. Ortiz, Ph.D.

Ken OstiniGlenn Owen

Margaret PadenGil PalaciosGreg PensaBob Poole

Richard PratoRobert D. Rhodus

Winslow “Peter” A. Robbins

Georgia L. SchragerOrlando C. Severo, Jr.

Mary Sharp

Katherine SheehyPatrick W. Sheehy

Alexander F. Simas, Esq.Larry J. Singleton, IIIVirginia Perry Souza

Eddie StanfieldSue Sword

Wendy TeixeiraRonald L. ThatcherDave K. Ulrickson

Rick VelascoGuy Walker

Kevin G. Walthers, Ph.D.Roger Welt, Ed.D.

Jeff York

Hilda ZacaríasRaul C. Zermeno

Leslie Zomalt, Ph.D.

IN MEMORY OF…Charles “Chick” Adams

Mavis BartlesonStuart Bartleson

Sandy CartyWalter E. Conrad

Dottie Dorsey-NolanGary R. Edelbrock, Ph.D.

Henry M. GrennanEdmund R.

Hergenrather

Margaret HolmanGeorge E. Howard, Jr.

Richard KlineKeith V. Lapp

Leonard MarshmanJames McDonald

Joseph A. Olivera, Jr.Janice RobertsonWalt RosebrockFelix SchefflerJoseph Sesto

Dennis Shepard, M.D.William “Bill” SnellingWilliam J. Tibbs, M.D.

Mark J. Smith

Dr. Ann Foxworthy Lewellen and The Honorable Judge Royce R. LewellenSue Sword

Doris T. Lahr

Melanie Bedwell, Jon and Angela Freitas, Erik and Judy Frost, Mike and Judy Galloway, James E. Fields and April Gillette, Judy and Charlie Markline, Ron and Mary Nanning, Dr. José M. Ortiz and Mrs. Carmen Ortiz, Roy Reed, Dr. Michael and Georgia Schrager, Speed’s Oil Tool Service, Inc.

AHC FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS 1977-PRESENT

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