Annual Foundation Gala Celebrates Crafton’s 50-Year History, Students - Crafton Hills College

Publish Date: May 19, 2022

Annual Foundation Gala Celebrates Crafton's 50-Year History, Students

In 1972, almost 50 years ago, a small community college in the hills of the city of Yucaipa opened its doors to area students.

Since then, Crafton Hills College has uplifted the lives of thousands through its educational resources. CHC celebrated this 50-year milestone on April 21 during a special fundraising gala hosted by the

Crafton Hills College Foundation. This nonprofit organization invited current Roadrunners, past alumni, and hundreds of supporters to the campus -- all in an effort to raise funds for its mission to support student success.

“Tonight is all about fundraising [and] how meaningful this is to our students,” explained Diana Rodriguez, chancellor of the San Bernardino Community College District.

The CHC Foundation is supported by contributions from the community that provides CHC students with funds for needs that they cannot otherwise afford— from textbooks to emergencies. The gala helps support the nonprofit’s mission to overcome the financial barriers that may keep students from achieving their educational goals and ensures its students have access to the best facilities, faculty, and equipment available.

Rodriguez recalled a student who had to make a difficult decision: either pay for a textbook or a utility bill. “He showed us the real cost of attending college,” she explained. “At that moment he needed to decide whether to pay for the book or attempt to be successful in class without it.” The Foundation works to ensure students do not have to make that difficult decision.

This year’s event took place in-and-outside of a central venue on campus – The Finkelstein Performing Arts Center – and included some notable highlights, including a live and silent auction that raised thousands and recognition of a $75,000 donation from the family of the late Mike Orland, a Crafton alumnus and former fire captain of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Fire Department, who lost his battle with cancer in September 2021 at the age of 54. The donation will help establish an endowment fund to support CHC Fire Academy Students going through the program. It will cover uniform and certification costs, among other expenses.

“We shared so many wonderful years together,” said Orland’s mom, Margie. “When Mike was 13 and getting ready for his Bar Mitzvah, his grandmother labeled him the bold one. He attacked everything he did with great energy, direction and purpose.”

The event also included recognition of its 2022 Outstanding Alumni – Paul Barich, mayor of Redlands; Ann Martgan, EMS Operations Manager for the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; and former Redlands Fire Chief Jim Topoleski, who is currently serving as Division Chief for San Bernardino County Fire.

“The reason why I look at Crafton the way I do is [that] it is regionally located in one of the most vibrant areas for public safety,” Topoleski said, adding that without these programs, local governments are unable to properly staff first responder teams. “And that hurts you in the long run because they can’t get the right care to you.”

When asked why he continues to support CHC and its programming, Topoleski responded without hesitation: “[CHC] has taken care of my family, and that opportunity exists for every student who steps onto this campus.”

Outstanding 2020 Alumni Bill Ahlborn, whose celebration that year was postponed when the annual Foundation gala was not held because of the COVID-19 pandemic, was also recognized.

In total, $210,000 was raised during the event. For those who were unable to attend, donations can still be made any time at the Foundation’s website at www.craftonhills. edu/foundation.