(SANTA ANA, Calif.) — The Santa Ana College Foundation welcomed more than 300 students, donors, faculty, staff, volunteers, and family members who gathered at Phillips Hall on May 29 for the Santa Ana College 2026 Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony, an annual event recognizing the achievements of students and the generosity of the community members who help make their educational journeys possible.
The celebration honored recipients of scholarships for the 2026-2027 academic year while recognizing the donors and volunteers whose support continues to expand opportunities for Santa Ana College students. This year, the Foundation awarded $749,450 to 326 scholars, providing critical support for incoming freshmen, continuing students, transfer students, and students pursuing career technical education pathways.
For many students, scholarships represent more than financial assistance. They provide encouragement, validation, and the confidence to continue pursuing academic and career goals. The event offered an opportunity for students to celebrate alongside the individuals whose generosity has helped make those goals more attainable.
"Scholarships are one of the most powerful ways we can invest in student success," said David Valentin, President, Santa Ana College Foundation Board of Directors. "Every scholarship opens a door to opportunity. Scholarships have a financial impact, but there is a ripple effect that cannot be quantified, scholarships represent so much more for our scholars then the dollars they receive. It speaks to the heart of our students and the power of believing in their potential. Scholarships reflect the generosity, vision, and belief of our donors, who understand that investing in students today helps create a stronger future for our community."
The celebration also highlighted the collective effort behind the scholarship program. This year, 117 scholarship donors contributed to student support, while faculty, staff, alumni, retirees, and community volunteers dedicated their time to reviewing applications and selecting recipients.
Members of the Crevier family are pictured from left to right: Keyana Jalbert, Kim Jalbert, Donnie Crevier, Laurie Kraus, Jacalyn Jalbert, and Cameron Jalbert.
A special highlight of the event was the recognition of Donnie Crevier and the Crevier Family Foundation as the SAC Foundation's 2026 Scholarship Donor of the Year. Joining Crevier in accepting the recognition were Crevier Family Foundation board members: Executive Director Kim Jalbert, Chief Financial Officer Cameron Jalbert, Board Member Keyana Jalbert, and other members of the Crevier family who have played an active role in supporting the SAC Foundation's mission and impact.
In addition to decades of loyal and strong annual fund support, the Crevier Family Foundation has contributed more than $50,000 in scholarship support alone, through their own Crevier scholarship sub-fund, impacting the lives of 35 Santa Ana College students. Many of those students have gone on to attend four-year universities and graduate programs. In addition to financial support, Crevier has personally mentored students, sharing his experience and encouraging them as they pursue their educational and professional aspirations.
"One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been watching students who received support go on to help others," said Donnie Crevier. "There is nothing more heartfelt than seeing that cycle of generosity continue. I want to keep supporting students who have worked hard and are striving to build a better future."
The event was livestreamed, allowing family members, friends, alumni, and supporters who were unable to attend in person to participate in the celebration and recognize the accomplishments of scholarship recipients. The full recording of the 2026 Scholarship Awards Ceremony is available online.
As Santa Ana College continues to expand opportunities for students, the annual Scholarship Awards Celebration serves as a reminder of what is possible when a community comes together in support of education. Through the generosity of donors and the dedication of volunteers, hundreds of students will receive the support they need to continue their studies, pursue their goals, and create brighter futures for themselves and their families.
About Santa Ana College:
Santa Ana College (SAC), founded in 1915, serves more than 70,000 students yearly for credit and noncredit classes. At present, SAC students can work toward completing an associate degree, university transfer, career/workforce training or a bachelor's degree in occupational studies. In 2025, the college will offer a second bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies. As part of Santa Ana College, the School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center offers free classes throughout the community for adults of all ages and academic backgrounds. Santa Ana College is an award-winning college and was recently ranked as one of the nation's top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students and named one of the best community colleges in California by Intelligent.com for a 2nd consecutive year. The college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and medical personnel.