April 28, 2012
Event Description
Once a year, the Las Positas College Foundation holds a Black Tie fundraising event. The ninth annual BEST of the BEST gala was held April 28, 2012. It was an evening of the BEST of the BEST in Performing Arts, gourmet food and fine local wine. During the evening, local civic leaders, who are among the BEST of the BEST in their communities, were honored.
John B. Shirley, D.V.M
Former Mayor of Livermore, WW II veteran and POW
Charlene and Mitch Sigman
Founders, School of Imagination, Dublin
Nick Tooliatos, Esq.
Major General, US Army Reserve, Pleasanton
The evening began with guests tasting vintages from 12 Livermore Valley wineries and delicious hors d'oeuvres presented by ten exceptional Tri-Valley restaurants in the elegant Barbara Fracisco Mertes Center for the Arts on the Las Positas College campus.
Mid-way through the evening, the guests moved from the pre-Performance reception to the theater for a Performing Arts Showcase featuring student presentations of dance, vocal, music and interpretive speaking. Presentations were made to our BEST of the BEST Community Honorees. The evening was capped off with a dessert and champagne Post-Performance celebration of the College and the Honorees.
During the evening, guests had the opportunity to bid on unique items including wine country meals and adventures, special sessions – such as a Hot Air Balloon ride and Spa weekend – and high-end life style packages for professional cultural and sporting events.
The goal of the event is to produce an elegant – but low-overhead – event to maximize the profit for the Foundation's continuing support of the College community. Toward this end, the food, wine and auction items are all donated and the on-campus venue is cost-free. Many of the support elements, such as lighting, decorations and rentals, are provided at or below cost. Guest tickets are priced at $125 each. The result is a lovely evening with the beneficiaries being the students, staff, faculty and greater community that Las Positas College serves. This year the BEST of the BEST netted approximately $90,000. In the current economic environment of reduced state funding of higher education, this support is critically important to maintaining LPC's stellar reputation of a high transfer rate to four-year institutions and quality vocational/technical training.
Las Positas is the "Hometown College" of the Tri-Valley region. It serves the communities of Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and surrounding unincorporated areas. The mission of Las Positas College is to foster growth and success, both in its students and in the communities it serves. The College strives to fulfill this mission through comprehensive educational programs and services and through community partnerships that enhance the vitality of its primary service area.
For over 35 years, Las Positas College has provided an exceptional two-year curriculum for students seeking career preparation, transfer to a four-year college or university, or personal enrichment. Its watchword and goal is Students First. Located in Livermore California, Las Positas College offers over 80 associate degree and 28 technical and vocational certificate programs for approximately 9,000 students each year.
As it looks toward the future, the College seeks to maintain its characteristic dedication to student success while evolving into a national leader in community college education. Unfortunately, this goal is at risk due to the current economic environment. Recently, state funding for California community colleges has been challenging. FY '11-'12 support has been reduced significantly from prior years.
The Las Positas College Foundation supports the mission of the College and advances its vision for the future through active resource development. Established in 2003, the Foundation was created to ensure that the students, faculty, staff and communities that LPC serves have a premier community college.
For further information, contact:
Las Positas College Foundation
Ted Kaye, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer
3000 Campus Hill Drive
Livermore, CA 94551-9797
(925) 424-1010
IRS Number 71-0942040