Scholarship Gala Raises $500,000 for Student Scholarships

The University of La Verne Scholarship Gala ’16 drew hundreds of dignitaries from around Southern California on March 12 for an event that raised more than $500,000 in student scholarships.

The event, which honored Webb Family Enterprises, was attended by about 700 people, including elected officials and University leaders.

“We sincerely, deeply, and earnestly appreciate everything you have done and will continue to do to contribute to the success of our students. Thank you,” said University of La Verne President Devorah Lieberman.

Kiana Webb spoke of the importance of financial support in college – noting that it is part of her family’s basic mission to give back and help others.

“This is a celebration not of us, but the students we are here to support,” she said. “The scholarships we are all here to raise money for will help turn their possibilities into realities.”

Two scholarship recipients, one an alumna and one a current student, shared their personal stories with the attendees.

Angel Kennedy’13 earned a bachelor’s degree in international business from the University of La Verne, and told the crowd that it was the generosity of donors who helped her get to where she is today. She works in the earth science division for NASA, managing multimillion dollar budgets that fund cutting-edge technology.

“I have been blessed because of people who care. And it is because of the support systems I have had – my friends, my La Verne family and supporters like you that I want to give back as well,” Kennedy said.

Current Biology major Kandin Maraquin, and a champion on the speech and debate team, spoke of his support not only through scholarships, but from his debate coach, Robert Ruiz.

Maraquin said Ruiz believed he had potential to succeed and to make a name for the university in debate competitions. Kandin auditioned for and received the Performance Scholarship for Speech & Debate, a full 4 year scholarship at the university.

“It is that belief that each of you has in the students of the University of La Verne which drives us to achieve great things, which gives us a chance to prove ourselves as more than what we may seem to be on a high school transcript,” he said.

More photos from the event are available here.