Las Positas College Foundation

January 2011
In This Issues
Introduction
Giving and Getting
Naming Opportunities
 
Veterans Scholarship Opportunity:
 
Quick Links
Jeff Manchester
Jeff Manchester
Board of Directors Chair

Greetings!

Welcome to our second year of the quarterly Las Positas College Foundation newsletter! One year ago, this newsletter was created to better connect you--our invaluable campus and regional communities--with the College and the Foundation's shared goal of building a brighter future together.

Las Positas College serves the entire Tri-Valley from its campus in Livermore. LPC educates students for transfer to four-year universities and colleges and for technical and vocational careers, while also offering life-long learning opportunities for continuous education.

The LPC Foundation informs our regional community about the College its residents own and promotes the College's opportunities, resources, and benefits. The LPCF also develops resources supporting the College.
"Giving and Getting"
Supporter and Recipient Spotlight

The basic cost of a California community college education is a remarkable bargain.  Class fees for residents are just $26 per credit.  In actuality, however, the true price of higher education can be much more. Far and away the most costly "extra" items are textbooks.  A single text often costs in excess of $100 and can exceed $400. Sadly, these "extra" costs can force some students to attempt taking classes without a textbook or, worse, drop out of college.

In January 2009, Sandia National Laboratories made a $10,000 investment in the students of Las Positas College and challenged other individuals and corporations to join them in funding a Textbook Loaner program run by the students themselves. To date, the LPC Foundation has raised nearly $60,000 for this effort. In addition to Sandia, investors have ranged from major donors such as AT&T at $10,000, Kaiser Permanente at $5,000, and Wells Fargo Bank at $2,000 to individuals who have added from $15 to $1,000 to the fund.

For a flat $15 per semester charge, students can "borrow" textbooks from the campus library for up to 72 hours. This program has been invaluable.  Student Anna Lam characterized it as "a life saver" while Joyce Tayag says that she "really, really likes" it. Many other students share those sentiments thanks to the generosity of individuals and organizations just like yours.
Naming Opportunities

Naming OpportunitiesIn the last issue we mentioned that the Barbara F. Mertes Center for the Arts opened for the Fall 2010 semester.  This stunning new theater, music, and arts facility was named for the LPC founding Dean and current Chabot-Las Positas Community College District Trustee, Barbara Fracisco Mertes.  The Mertes Center is the heart of the arts on campus.  Naming an entire building for an individual, family, or company represents a major financial commitment to the College and an unequalled opportunity for creating tangible legacies in perpetuity.  There are myriad opportunities to fit donors' preferences and scope of the support they provide.  Naming opportunities can range from major items such as the Library and the Science Center, classrooms, laboratories, lecture halls, musical instruments, and scientific equipment to smaller legacy items such as study areas, gardens, theater seats, and engraved bricks.  Every naming opportunity creates a legacy supporting the college and enhancing our community member involvement.

Ted Kaye, Las Positas College Foundation C.E.O., will be more than happy to discuss tailored options and details.  Call (925) 424-1010 or email him.  Naming opportunities are growing as fast as our expanding campus.
Veterans Scholarship Opportunity:
Every Dollar Becomes Two

Several LPC Veteran-Scholars on campus hosting three survivors of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor
Without regard to one's political outlook, the men and women who are returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve our support and respect.  LPC has been in the forefront of developing programs to assist returning veterans with the often challenging transition from military to civilian life.  The Las Positas College Veterans First Initiative offers financial assistance in the form of scholarships and other costs such as textbooks.  It also offers professional and peer counseling, group activities, and opportunities to honor veterans' service (e.g., special Veterans Day activities).  The Livermore-based Pedrozzi Scholarship Foundation has partnered with the LPC Foundation to support our scholar veterans.  Pedrozzi will match every scholarship dollar raised by the LPCF on a one-for-one basis.  Don't miss this special opportunity to honor our returning veterans!   They are our heroes:  They deserve your support, and now your investment in them will go twice as far.
We hope you've found this newsletter informative. In our upcoming issue, we'll tell you about:
  • Alumni Outreach
  • Foundation Board member profile
Sincerely,

 

Ted Kaye
Las Positas College Foundation