SRJC Receives $5 Million Anonymous Gift, the Largest in School's History

is abuzz with excitement after receiving a $5 million endowment from an anonymous donor.

The $5 million endowment will generate approximately $175,000 annually in scholarship awards and will help hundreds of students each year with their education-related expenses, the school said.

“We are extremely grateful to this visionary donor for investing in the academic and professional future of our students," said Dr. Frank Chong, the new superintendent/president of the school, in a statement. "This historic gift will have a profound impact on our dedicated students and faculty. It comes at an important time when many students are motivated to get a college education, but lack the financial resources. “

Over the last three years, enrollment at both the Petaluma and Santa Rosa campuses has steadily declined due to budget cuts that laid off teachers and eliminated as many as 20 percent of classes. That has forced many students to switch to part-time enrollment, delaying the time it takes to transfer to a four-year school.

The new endowment will offer annual scholarships to students who show potential to become future teachers, to challenge students to finish their education and to provide assistance to SRJC students who need financial help.

The donation is the largest single outright gift to SRJC in its 94-year history, according to the school, and is one of the largest gifts from an individual within the California Community College system of 112 colleges.