Events

The Foundation hosts various events in support of our students and the El Camino College community.

2024

El Camino College retirees caught up with former friends and colleagues at this year's annual Retiree Luncheon. A great time was had by all as former ECC employees rekindled and reminisced over lunch.

Retiree Luncheon

 

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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.

SKECHERS

SKECHERS Scholars Scholarship recipients with SKECHERS representatives, Robin Curren (center) and Amy Trell (far right).

 

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Every other year, the El Camino College Foundation recognizes a few of our exceptional alumni who received their strong educational foundation at El Camino College and have made a positive impact on their community. These individuals are highly accomplished and have achieved great success in their careers and lives.

Click here for complete event information.

Distinguished Alumni logo

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2023

Nearly 550 scholarships 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.

Bemis Scholarship
 
Dr. Wayne and Peggy Bemis (front row) with scholarship recipients (L to R) Jason Irie, Hailee Pitschke, and Haris Saif.

 

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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!

 

Pres Dinner
 
Thank you Bob Brandt, President Thames, Laurie Brandt and Andrea Sala for a wonderful President's Dinner event at Red Car Brewery and Restaurant.

 

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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
 
Howmet Aerospace Scholarship for STEM recipients with Howmet Aerospace representatives.

 

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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 RestaurantTorrance Bakery, and the Water Replenishment District.

TAW Foundation Staff

 

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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.

Retiree Luncheon Photos

 

Cover

 

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

Halloween Ball Photos

 

Trustees

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

 

Album cover

 

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

 

Adalian Scholarship

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

 

Distinguished Alumni Cover Pic
 
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

Honda Napa Rose Thumbnail

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!

President's Reception Photos

President's Reception Cover Pic
 
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'!

Employee Giving Lunch Photos

 

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.     

SBP Signing Ceremony Photos

 

SBP Cover Pic Ben Allen
 
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

Scholarship Cover Photo