Events
The Foundation hosts various events in support of our students and the El Camino College community.
2023
Nearly 550 scholaships totaling $815,000 were awarded at this year's ceremony for fall 2023. We are incredibly grateful to all our scholarship donors who generously give to help our students realize their educational goals. This heart-warming event provides an opportunity for our donors to meet their scholarship recipient(s) and allows the recipient to thank their donor in person.
Dr. Wayne and Peggy Bemis (front row) with scholarship recipients (L to R) Jason Irie, Hailee Pitschke, and Haris Saif.
The El Camino College Foundation held its annual President’s Dinner at Red Car Brewery and Restaurant in Torrance. This event allowed some of our most generous donors an opportunity to mix and mingle with Superintendent/President Brenda Thames in an intimate setting. Thank you to ECC Foundation Board of Director Laurie Brandt, and her husband Bob Brandt, for hosting our private event at their restaurant. We’re so lucky for the support of all our President’s Circle and Community Partner donors!
Thank you Bob Brandt, President Thames, Laurie Brandt and Andrea Sala for a wonderful President's Dinner event at Red Car Brewery and Restaurant.
2022
A record $1,000,000 was awarded to more than 650 El Camino College students at the annual Foundation Scholarship Awards Ceremony. Thanks to our generous donors, most scholarships fully cover the cost of enrollment fees, textbooks and educational expenses.
This heart-warming event provides an opportunity for our donors to meet their scholarship recipient(s) and allows the recipient to thank their donor in person. Each year, the scholarship program grows more robust, with 16 new scholarships established this year alone, creating 134 new scholarship opportunities for our students.
Howmet Aerospace Scholarship for STEM recipients with Howmet Aerospace representatives.
2021
Teacher Appreciation Week was a perfect time to honor El Camino educators after a challenging pandemic year. A drive-thru boxed lunch distribution event was organized by the El Camino College Foundation to say THANK YOU!
Big thanks to Foundation volunteers, Warrior Pantry staff, and our generous lunch
sponsors: Gaetano's Restaurant, Torrance Bakery, and the Water Replenishment District.
2019
Giving back never tasted so good!
Every Tuesday in the month of November is Giving Tuesday at Bettolino Kitchen! Dine out and support the South Bay community. All profits earned on November 5, 12, 19, and 26 will be shared with the El Camino College Foundation.
Thank you to Bettolino Kitchen for supporting El Camino College students. Dining for dollars at its finest!
View Bettolino Kitchen Giving Tuesdays Flyer
El Camino College retirees caught up with former friends and colleagues at this year's annual Retiree Luncheon. Andrea Sala welcomed guests, President Maloney presented the new South Bay Promise program, and Ross Miyashiro discussed the newly opened Student Services building.
A great time was had by all as former ECC employees rekindled and reminisced over a lovely lunch.
Everyone had a ball at this year's Halloween Ball!
Thank you to Chef Shafer of The Depot restaurant for selecting the El Camino College Foundation as this year's beneficiary of the ever-popular Halloween Ball fundraiser! And thank you to all event sponsors, attendees, live and silent auction donors, and community members who supported our event. We couldn't have executed such a BOO-tiful event without all of you!
Ghouls and goblins came out to party in the Big White Tent! All proceeds benefited South Bay Promise students at El Camino College.
Additional Event Details and Information
El Camino College Superintendent/President Dr. Dena Maloney with ECC Board of Trustees
and their spouses sporting Warriors letter jackets at the Halloween Ball.
Thank you to Melanie and Richard Lundquist for believing in El Camino College's South Bay Promise program. Enough so, to open up their beautiful home overlooking the Pacific Ocean, to raise funds for a purpose.
Nearly $56,000 was raised by donors to support the South Bay Promise program, which provides free college tuition and support services to local high school graduates. The Lundquists generously announced to match all donations received, garnering a total contribution of $130,000 to the El Camino College Foundation.
El Camino College and their students are grateful for the tremendous support of Melanie and Richard Lundquist.
Lundquist SBP Charity Brunch Photos
Over $700,000 was awarded to more than 600 El Camino College students at the annual Foundation Scholarship Awards Ceremony. Thanks to our generous donors, most scholarships fully cover the cost of enrollment fees, textbooks and educational expenses.
This heart-warming event provides an opportunity for the donor to meet their scholarship recipient(s) and allows the recipient to thank their donor in person. Each year, the scholarship program grows more robust, providing critical support to students in a variety of academic and technical fields.
The Foundation was proud to award 12 new scholarships this year, including the Pauline Adalian Memorial Scholarship.
Scholarship Awards Ceremony Photos
Paul Adalian (left center) with wife, Rosemary and daughter Allison from Ashland,
Oregon and their three Pauline Adalian Memorial Scholarship recipients.
The Foundation was honored to recognize the professional accomplishments and community achievements of this year's class of Distinguished Alumni. Additionally, for the first time ever, the Foundation honored a very special individual and a deserving corporation as its Gratitude Award recipients.
Congratulations to all honorees! We are very proud of you! You represent El Camino College well and truly embrace the saying, "Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior!"
Distinguished Alumni & Gratitude Award Photos
2018 Distinguished Alumni & Gratitude Award recipients with Andrea Sala, Superintendent/President
Dr. Dena Maloney, and Mark Waronek.
2018
Guests gathered at the award-winning Napa Rose restaurant at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa. The evening was sponsored by American Honda Motor Co., Inc. and benefited the El Camino College Foundation. 100% of ticket proceeds supported educational programs at El Camino College.
Guests dined on an exclusive dinner curated by Napa Rose's Executive Chef Andrew Sutton, with complementary wine pairings specifically selected for the evening.
Honda Evening at Napa Rose Photos
Giving back never tasted so good!
Every Tuesday in the month of November is Giving Tuesday at Bettolino Kitchen! Dine out and support the South Bay community. All profits earned on November 6, 13, 20, and 27 will be shared with the El Camino College Foundation.
Thank you to Bettolino Kitchen for supporting El Camino College students. Dining for dollars at its finest!
View Bettolino Kitchen Giving Tuesdays Flyer
Thanks to Foundation Board members Laurie McCarthy, Mark Burton and Dickie Van Breene, the college hosted a lovely evening educating the Manhattan Beach community on the value of El Camino College in the South Bay. Superintendent/President Dr. Dena Maloney addressed campus modernization projects, South Bay Promise, Leadership Institute, STEM program, and the South Bay Public Safety Training Center.
Again, thank you to President's Circle members Laurie and Tom McCarthy for opening up their beautiful home and hosting this informative and social event. We look forward to bringing the next salon event to another beach city soon!
Laurie McCarthy, Dickie Van Breene, President Maloney and Foundation Board President, Mark Waronek.
The Foundation is lucky to have the ongoing financial support of so many faculty and staff members. To recognize those who give to the Foundation, an annual appreciation lunch is hosted by the Foundation to say thank you and provide an opportunity for colleagues to dine along with their philanthropic peers. It was Taco Thursday at El Camino College -- Fiesta Ole'!
130 South Bay leaders visited El Camino College to participate in a signing ceremony for the South Bay Promise. Educational leaders, elected officials and community partners joined together to sign resolutions and reaffirm their commitment to this program that provides college access.
State Senator Ben Allen was the keynote speaker and American Honda Motor Co., Inc. presented a $50,000 check to support an endowment fund for the South Bay Promise.
The South Bay Promise expanded in the fall of 2018 to include 500 high school graduates from all seven school districts in the El Camino Community College District. Through this program, high school graduates who attend ECC full time will have enrollment fees waived for the first year. The Foundation was pleased to host this historic event and bring awareness to this vital community program.
Senator Ben Allen addressing the audience about the importance of higher education.
Over $550,000 was awarded to more than 500 current and transferring El Camino College students at the annual Foundation Scholarship Awards Ceremony. Additionally, $250,000 was awarded to 250 South Bay Promise students.
Thanks to our many generous donors, most scholarships fully cover the cost of enrollment fees, textbooks and educational expenses. This heart-warming event provides an opportunity for the donor to meet their scholarship recipient and allows the recipient to thank their donor in person. Each year, the scholarship program continues to grow, providing critical support to students in a variety of academic disciplines and technical fields.
Scholarship Awards Ceremony Photos
2017
The El Camino College Foundation recently celebrated the holidays and a successful giving season with the annual President’s Dinner at the Redondo Beach Cheesecake Factory. Guests were entertained by talented student guitarists Bryan Garcia and Nash Montano, followed by opening remarks from Superintendent/President Dr. Dena Maloney. Katie Nuemann, recipient of the Frances Ford Scholarship for Nursing, delighted the audience with her student experiences. The evening concluded with closing remarks by Foundation Executive Director, Andrea Sala, and of course, delicious cheesecake!
Retired El Camino College faculty and staff members caught up with colleagues and friends at the 2017 Retiree Luncheon. President Maloney gave an overview of campus programs. Andrea Sala spoke about the South Bay Promise program and Virgina Pfiffner closed the luncheon by introducing new retirees and recognizing the longest retired attendees.
Members of the El Camino College community, including President Maloney, Board of Trustees, Foundation Board of Directors, President's Circle, Community Partners, and special guests came out to meet and support fellow ECC Distinguished Alumnus David Benoit. Mr. Benoit is a Grammy-nominated jazz musician, possessing the artistic talents of pianist, composer, and arranger. Mr. Benoit is regarded as one of the most innovative jazz artists of the 21st century and is best known for the "Linus and Lucy" song featured in "The Peanuts Movie." Guests enjoyed mingling with Mr. Benoit, and later attended his concert in Marsee Auditorium.
Over $500,000 was awarded to more than 450 incoming high school students, students attending El Camino College, and students transferring to the four-year university of their dreams at the annual Foundation Scholarship Awards Ceremony. Thanks to our generous donors, many of these scholarships fully cover the cost of tuition, textbooks, and fees. The ECC Scholarship program continues to grow, providing critical support to students in a variety of academic disciplines.
Scholarship Awards Ceremony Photos
