Rocklin, Calif. – The Sierra College Foundation announced today that donors contributed more than $660,000 for student scholarships. When combined with matching funds from the Osher Foundation, this will provide $1 million to create 50 annual $1,000 scholarships in perpetuity.
The $1 million is the largest scholarship fundraising effort in the Foundation’s nearly 40-year history.
“This endowment will create a permanent fund for 50 scholarships, offering long-term help for students,” said Sonbol Aliabadi, Executive Director of the Foundation. “We are thrilled and grateful to receive such support from our community.”
The 50 scholarships were funded by a variety of individuals and organizations in the community, many of whom wanted to recognize a friend, family member or noted community leader.
The scholarships include those in memory of:
- Rocklin Police Officer Matthew Redding, who was killed on duty in 2006.
- Former Placer County Supervisor and Roseville Mayor Bill Santucci, who died in 2008 after more than 20 years as an elected official.
- Leslie Miller, a former Sierra College student who left most of his more than $1 million estate to the college in 2006.
- James Levoy Sorenson, a Sierra College-educated entrepreneur who went on to establish successful health care businesses.
Other scholarships recognize members of the community, including longtime Sierra College Trustee Barbara Vineyard, who served on the board for 28 years; former Sierra College Athletic Director and Coach George Goto; former Sierra College President Kevin Ramirez and his wife, Vicki; Sierra College alum Wilbur Wallace and his wife, Mary; Will S. Cluff; Donald L. Sall Sr.; and Ben and Nora Ferrari, to name just a few.
Organizations and businesses that funded scholarships include: Wells Fargo; Kaiser Permanente; Nevada County Coordinating Council for Sierra College; Rotary Clubs of Western Nevada County; Sutter Medical Center; the Nevada County Law Enforcement & Fire Protection Council; Sierra College Accounting Advisory Committee; and The 2011 Sierra College Foundation Board of Directors.
“It is so gratifying that so many in this community were willing to support our local students pursuing higher education,” Aliabadi said. “With school about to begin, this is great news for students.”
While the Osher Foundation matching program has ended, Aliabadi said the Foundation continues to establish new scholarships and welcomes the opportunity to work with donors to create new scholarship opportunities for students.