Press Releases 2007

CONTACT: Mary Planding, Director, Marketing & Communications
(831) 479-6158
mary.planding [at] cabrillo.edu

March 15, 2007

WELL-KNOWN PHILANTHROPIST, BARBARA SAMPER,
DONATES $26,000 TO THE CABRILLO ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM

APTOS, CA—Barbara Samper, a dynamic and youthful 73-year old, drives a sporty two-door Cadillac. A successful businesswoman, a loving mom and doting grandmother, you would never guess she ever struggled to go to college. But much to the astonishment of 70 Cabrillo Advancement Program (CAP) students, that’s exactly what they learned at their Saturday Academy in March. 
 
Upon her recent donation of $26,000 to CAP, Samper spoke to the young CAP students at their Saturday CAP Academy to show there are people out there rooting for them. She spoke of her difficulties in childhood with dyslexia and being told she was not “college material.” Yet, with her determination and the steadfast support of her mother, she graduated from college.

She was also told she could not learn another language because of her dyslexia. In eloquent Spanish, Samper declared “I beat the odds with my dedication and persistence. You can too!” She exhorted the students to persist despite the countless struggles they would face. “I’m counting on you to go to college, to improve the quality of your life and so you too can give a hand to those who need help!”
 
Brian King, president of Cabrillo College averred, “Barbara’s generosity is a shining example of how many people in our community have overcome huge obstacles in their lives. Barbara, who has been extraordinarily successful, wants to give back and help others break through those barriers. She has a big heart and cares deeply about these CAP students. We are all very grateful for her kindness and commitment to education.”

In addition to Samper’s generous gift of $26,000 to CAP, the proceeds of the sale of her beautiful Mediterranean style home in Capitola will fund the Barbara Samper Foundation, which will also help support CAP.
 
CAP provides services to at-risk youth to guide them to college. Fifty new CAP students are selected in the 6th grade each year and inducted into CAP. CAP students receive tutoring, counseling, parent education, and participate in other educational activities during their school years from the 6th to 12th grade as part of the program. Once they graduate from CAP and enroll at Cabrillo College, CAP students are awarded a $1,000 scholarship plus interest earned from the time they receive the award.