Press Releases 2008

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

January 16, 2008

OW FAMILY OFFERS AMERICAN DREAM TO LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Aptos, CA--George Ow, Jr., local businessman and philanthropist announces that applicants are now being sought for the American Dream Scholarship Program at Cabrillo College. The Ow Family began the program at Cabrillo in 1989 and has generously supported it for the last eighteen years. Last year, the Ow family provided a record 58 American Dream Scholarships, totaling $29,000, to Cabrillo College students.

The American Dream Scholarship Program offers $500 awards to local African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic and other underrepresented high school students who plan to attend Cabrillo College. Since its inception at Cabrillo, the Ow family has supported 450 Cabrillo College students and has provided more than $202,000 toward this effort.

"This is the best use of our money," says Ow. “I feel that in some way, we are offering hope to young people who stay in school and aspire to college."

Ow has made a personal commitment to advance diversity and equality for minority and disadvantaged persons living in our community. The American Dream Scholarship program was singled out for recognition in 2001 when Ow received the prestigious John W. Rice Diversity Award, named after Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s father, a tireless advocate for equity in the California community college system. This award is given to programs that clearly demonstrate an outstanding achievement in student equity at California’s community colleges.

Ow knows personally the power of education. He spent his early years in the last Santa Cruz Chinatown, located on the banks of the San Lorenzo River. His first language was Toisanese, a rural southern Chinese dialect. After living in Monterey, where the family owned a grocery store, they settled in Santa Cruz where they also owned a grocery store. Ow and his six brothers and sisters grew up working in these stores. After graduating from high school in 1960, he received an A.A. degree from Monterey Peninsula College (younger siblings would attend the newly established Cabrillo College). He also holds a B.A. degree in marketing from San Francisco State University and an M.B.A. from the University of California at Los Angeles.

Ow, the oldest child took over the management of the family’s real estate business in 1970 after he returned from Viet Nam. His father, George Ow, Sr., died in 2004. Ow has continued his father’s philosophy and legacy of contributing to the community. The Santa Cruz area has greatly benefited from the Ow family's contributions.

Students interested in applying for an American Dream Scholarship should contact Cabrillo College's Financial Aid Department at 831-479-6417 or visit them online at www.cabrillo.edu. Students must plan to attend Cabrillo full-time and have at least a 2.0 grade point average. The deadline to apply is March 3, 2008.

For more information on how you can support Cabrillo College students, call Melinda Silverstein, Executive Director, Cabrillo College Foundation, 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 U.C. Santa Cruz. Founded in 1959, the college offers more than 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. Its mission is to enhance the intellectual, cultural, and economic vitality of its 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.

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