Crafton Hills College Celebrates a Legacy of Giving with Unveiling of Updated Legacy Wall

Publish Date: Nov. 17, 2022

When Forrest Greek’s morning commute to Redlands would take him near a little community college on the hill, he would marvel at the institution’s work educating the next generation of teachers, future leaders and first responders.

Today, this Inland Empire man plays an integral role in helping to create a legacy of giving at that site, Crafton Hills College, through financial contributions he and his wife Valorie McLaughlin have made and plan to make to the Roadrunner campus.

Greek, McLaughlin, and dozens of others were recognized for their gifts at the unveiling of an updated Legacy Wall inside the Crafton Center on Friday, October 14. For the first time in three years, the College was able to hold an event to recognize individual donors with cumulative or estate planned gifts of $10,000 or more. Twenty-eight new plaques featuring the names of contributors were added to the wall, while 16 were moved up a level in acknowledgment of their added gifts.

“I want to thank the people here,” Greek said during the special event. “I know there were so many that were introduced, and I just want to thank you all. It is my honor to be here, believe me.”

Others who spoke to honor Foundation donors included CHC President Kevin Horan, who closed out the afternoon ceremony with remarks about how donations support all Roadrunner students, including first generation and low-income students. In addition, San Bernardino Community College District Chancellor Diana Rodriguez and Dr. Phong Nguyen, president of The Crafton Hills College Foundation, both products of a community college, remarked about how generous donors enable students to reach their career goals and strengthen our community.

“Your philanthropy through the Foundation really helps all kinds of students,” Nguyen said. “This is the base, and I always tell parents there are three different people that come to this college. One is a really good student in high school that doesn’t have the money and needs somewhere to start. The second one is the veteran. And the other one is a student who in high school didn’t have the grades, but within a few years of graduation realizes they need an education. And sometimes these students need a bit of help..., so I really truly thank you because the future mayor, the future lawyer, the future doctor is within our campus here.”

The Crafton Hills Foundation handles and acknowledges all contributions, including the Legacy Wall. Currently, the nonprofit is in the middle of a campaign to increase Legacy Society membership numbers and guarantees donations received will have a great impact on generations to come.

The Legacy Wall has a total of five levels of giving – Supporters ($10,000-$24,999), Collaborator ($25,000-$49,999), Innovators ($50,000-$99,999), Benefactors ($100,000- $499,999) and Visionaries ($500,000) – but donations of any size are welcome.

Programs like Crafton’s fire and paramedic academies have benefitted from the community’s support, while students have received individual support through scholarships and grants that have helped cover the cost of books and supplies or unexpected expenses like the need of tires to commute to-and-from campus.

“Today’s celebration is an incredible honor for us to recognize all of you,” said Michelle Riggs, CHC’s director of institutional advancement. “We appreciate you for choosing us to make your investment. Your legacy will continue in perpetuity.”

Donations may be made online at craftonhills. edu or by mail to The CHC Foundation, 11711 Sand Canyon Road, Yucaipa 92399. To learn more about the nonprofit and its mission, visit the Foundation’s website at craftonhills.edu/foundation or contact Riggs

by phone at 909-389-3391. To view the Legacy Wall, visit Crafton Center during hours of operation.