Press Releases 2007

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

August 31, 2007

CABRILLO ALUMNI, RICHARD AND THERESA CROCKER,
GIVE BACK WITH $1,000,000 DONATION

Aptos, CA—On Friday, at Cabrillo College’s annual All College Day—an event held for faculty and staff prior to the start of each fall semester—a surprise announcement was made by college President and Superintendent Brian King. To the astonishment of more than 300 Cabrillo College faculty, staff, and five former Cabrillo College presidents, King announced that Cabrillo College alumni, Richard and Theresa Crocker, have donated $1,000,000 to name the new Cabrillo College Theater—the largest, single alumni donation the college has ever received. The Crockers’ donation will benefit numerous Cabrillo programs.

To amplify the surprise announcement, King added that founding president, Bob Swenson, and his wife Fran, have recently donated $25,000 towards the new Arts Education Classrooms. King said, “The leadership of our alumni and the founding president giving back to the community and continuing the college’s legacy of excellence is a touching message and testament to our great college.”

Crocker spoke to the Cabrillo College faculty and staff and declared, “If Cabrillo wasn’t here I probably wouldn’t have completed my college education.” Crocker reminisced about the early years of Cabrillo and taking classes in modular trailers on the Watsonville High School campus. In his first semester at Cabrillo, he got mono and had to drop out of school for two years. He was raising a family, working full-time, and had to take night classes when he returned Cabrillo. Crocker recalled his exceptional teachers at Cabrillo. Eventually he knew he needed to attend Cabrillo full-time to accomplish his goal of completing his education. “Cabrillo was in my backyard and accepted me, at the various stages of my life, giving me the opportunity to be who I am today.” After graduating from Cabrillo in 1967, he attended San Jose State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business in 1969.

Crocker also thanked the faculty and staff for the role they have played in his life and the lives of past, current and future students. He thanked President King for being such an innovative and enthusiastic leader of Cabrillo, who puts the students first. The Crockers expressed their honor and pleasure to come full circle as Cabrillo alumni and have this opportunity to give back to the college that made a huge difference in their lives.

King affirmed, “Dick Crocker is a real Cabrillo success story, a man who came from humble beginnings and became a business leader. He told me that although he went to SJSU, his heart is with Cabrillo. In the Crockers’ entrepreneurial spirit their gift expresses not only their appreciation to the college that gave to them, but their hope that it will encourage others to give as well. Dick and Theresa are an inspiration to Cabrillo College.”

Mrs. Crocker graduated in dental hygiene from Cabrillo College. Mr. Crocker has developed over 40 commercial real estate properties and founded Crocker’s Restaurants and Crocker’s Lockers storage facilities. The Crockers have given $1,000,000 to Cabrillo College of which a part is a gift of property. For more information, please contact Cabrillo College Foundation Executive Director, Melinda Silverstein at 831-479-6338.

About Cabrillo College

Cabrillo College is a leading California community college serving Santa Cruz County with locations in Aptos, Scotts Valley and Watsonville. It is ranked #1 in transfers to UC Santa Cruz. Founded in 1959, the college offers over 100 academic and career technology programs that serve multiple educational goals such as A.A. and A.S. degrees, certificates of proficiency, skills certificates, transfer to 4-year institutions or for lifelong learning and personal enrichment. Our mission is to enhance the intellectual, cultural, and economic vitality of our diverse community by assisting all students in their quest for lifelong learning and success in an ever-changing world.

About Cabrillo College Foundation

The Cabrillo College Foundation was established in 1962 as a private, non-profit organization; its sole mission is to provide support for Cabrillo College, its students and faculty. The Cabrillo College Foundation accepts all private gifts, donations and bequests on behalf of the college.  For more information about programs, policies, board and staff please contact Executive Director Melinda Silverstein at 831-479-6338 or mesilver@cabrillo.edu.

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