Scholarship Gala ’15

Richard, Robert, Roger, and Randall Lewis – four brothers with big dreams and big hearts – were honored at the University of La Verne’s annual Scholarship Gala March 21. The event, hosted at the Sheraton Fairplex Conference Center in Pomona, drew nearly 500 community leaders, government officials, dignitaries, alumni and university supporters to not only honor the Lewis Group of Companies for their history of generosity and commitment to the growth and development of La Verne, but also for the support of students.

The event raised nearly $700,000 for student scholarships.

“Tonight’s event is so very important because it is about our students. I am humbled by their stories, their tenacity, their ambitions and their dreams. Your generosity allows these students to be here and touches all of our hearts,” said President Devorah Lieberman during the ceremony’s opening remarks.

Every year, the University of La Verne honors exceptional leaders that work to make a difference in their communities. Since 1955, the Lewis Group of Companies has been a leader in the development of real estate throughout California and Nevada. Over the years, the organization has supported major capital projects at the University of La Verne, such as the construction of the Sara and Michael Abraham Campus Center, which opened in 2009.

“We feel it is only right that with success we should share it with others. We have always believed in education and feel that giving back and supporting it is the right thing to do,” said Richard Lewis, who is President of the California Division of Lewis Operating Corporation and a member of La Verne’s Board of Trustees.

The evening also featured poignant moments brought by students in attendance who earnestly thanked the room full of donors and university supporters for the scholarships they received.

Alina Rozwadowska ’15 flew in from Chicago to be present for her speech. She thanked donors for giving her the opportunities to reach her educational goals, which led to her landing her dream job. Current student, Julian Mininsohn, also shared his heart-felt gratitude.

“You can’t spell ‘love’ without ‘LV,’” Mininsohn said. “I want to thank the donors for all you have given to students like me. Without you, there would be no student body.”

Mininsohn has aspirations of working in sports news and currently interns with La Verne alum Rob Fukuzaki on KABC 7. He is also the first recipient for the Rob Fukuzaki Heads Up Youth Foundation Communications Scholarship recently established at La Verne.

More photos from the event can be found here.