Crafton Hills College donors, students meet at annual Scholarship Reception

Publish Date: Aug. 10, 2023

Crafton Hills College’s community of donors is a vital component to the success of its Roadrunner population. And every year, the College’s Foundation hosts a special reception on campus for donors to meet with the student – or students – their financial contribution helped.

This year, the annual event took place Thursday, Aug. 10, taking over Crafton Hall with lively chatter and a celebration of gratitude.

Program organizers kept the main program short and to-the-point so donors and students had more time to interact, explained Leslie Wessels, scholarship chair of the CHC Foundation. But stories like Melissa Hernandez’s was a reception highlight.

“As the oldest of seven siblings…, I strive every day to show them how important education is,” explained the Yucaipa High School alumna, Foundation scholarship recipient, and first-generation college student. “Ultimately choosing [to attend] Crafton has been the best decision I could have made for myself. I was able to learn my likes and dislikes and even changed my major from political science to psychology during my first semester here.”

Attending Crafton has allowed Hernandez to pursue other passions, including cross-country and participating in the College’s Research Club. In April, she was invited to present research on intimate partner violence at the 2023 Western Psychology Association Conference.

“I plan to finish my studies at Crafton this upcoming spring and after that I will continue to pursue a psychology major at another institution. My ultimate career goal is [to become] a criminal defense attorney [and] because of my crazy ambition I also see myself going to graduate school and law school,” she continued. “But for now, I’m excited to continue to grow surrounded by the Crafton community and my peers.”

The Crafton Hills College Foundation raises money year-round to support student success and campus improvements. Its board of directors is composed of 25 volunteers who donate their time to the cause and oversee the scholarship application process. The CHC Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization, which establishes it as a charity so that donations are tax-free. It provides  scholarships, grants, loans, and other types of assistance.

To learn more about the organization or to make a financial contribution, send an email to chchfoundation@crafton.edu or call 909-389-3245.