Well dressed guests at tables for the SBVC Gala

Over 500 guests gathered for San Bernardino Valley College’s Centennial Gala on March 27, 2026.

Photo credit: Angel Castillo

 

CONTACT:

Paul Bratulin, pbratulin@valleycollege.edu / (909) 384-8978 
 

SAN BERNARDINO – San Bernardino Valley College (SBVC) raised more than $1 million to support students at its Centennial Gala on March 27.

The gala, themed “Centennial Journey,” celebrated the 100th anniversary of the college’s founding.

The event’s revenue included $55,000 from Stater Bros. Charities and $500,000 from the Pinky & Joe Brier Foundation. Stater Bros. designated funds for SBVC’s food pantry and the gala, and the Brier Foundation committed to a five-year matching/challenge grant funding an endowed scholarship fund supporting women and underserved SBVC students pursuing careers in aviation.

“The tremendous success of SBVC’s Centennial Gala reflects the deep pride our community has in this college and its students,” said San Bernardino Valley College Foundation Executive Director Mike Layne. “We are honored by the generosity of our sponsors, donors and partners, whose investments will help meet students’ basic needs, expand scholarship opportunities, and strengthen pathways to thriving wage careers.

“As we celebrate 100 years of SBVC, this moment is not only about honoring our past -- it is also about building a stronger future for the students we serve. The energy and philanthropic support inspired by this centennial celebration will serve as an important bridge to the SBVC Foundation’s soft launch of a major comprehensive campaign later this year -- an effort that will help grow long-term resources for scholarships, programs, and student success.”
The gala featured a walkway of classic cars dating back to the 1930s, paying tribute to Route 66. A centerpiece of the gala’s Roaring ’20s cocktail party was a 1926 Buick two-door Master 6, which was restored by SBVC automotive students and faculty.

The gala included a silent and a live auction, live music, dinner and remarks from community and SBVC leadership.

“When historians look back at this moment, they will see a community that chose to invest in the future,” said SBVC President Dr. Gilbert J. Contreras. “A future where education continues to transform families, neighborhoods, and entire generations.”

In his closing remarks, Dr. Contreras reflected on the evening’s generosity with a message that captured the heart of Valley College’s mission:

“There is a student somewhere right now — maybe working a late shift, maybe putting a child to bed, maybe sitting at a kitchen table with a textbook — who does not yet know your name. But your generosity is already shaping their story. That is not a small thing. That is the most important thing.”

Dr. Contreras continued: “One hundred years is not just a number. It is the accumulation of every open door and every second chance. We are proud of our first hundred years at Valley College. But together, we are even more excited about the next one hundred.”

After dinner, attendees took a “Centennial Journey,” featuring highlights from the decades and a cast of alumni, students, volunteers and the band Radio Ready.

SBVC also honored 15 people for their service to the college and the community. They included:

  • Dr. Donald Averill, Chancellor Emeritus of SBCCD
  • Dr. John Bancroft, age 101, SBVC alumnus, former SBVC administrator
  • Dr. Kim Carter-Tillman, SBVC alumna
  • Dino Ebel, SBVC alumnus, Dodgers third-base coach
  • Captain Gary Kelly, retired SBVC faculty member
  • Dr. Tomas Morales, President, CSU San Bernardino
  • Patti Oquendo, SBVC alumna & manager of Mitla Cafe
  • Margaret Ortiz, SBVC alumna & retired employee
  • Jack H. Brown, In Memoriam, SBVC alumnus
  • Ken Ramirez, Chairman Emeritus of Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation
  • Dr. Diana Z. Rodriguez, Chancellor of the SBCCD
  • Paul and Susan Shimoff, SBVC alumnae, local attorney and educator
  • Dr. Judith Valles, SBVC alumna, first Hispanic mayor of San Bernardino
  • Gloria Macias Harrison, SBVC alumna, platinum gala sponsor

The gala was co-chaired by Macias Harrison and Dr. Yolanda Moses. Macias Harrison is a San Bernardino Community College District trustee emerita and co-founder of El Chicano newspaper. Moses is a global anthropology scholar, national higher education leader, former university president and former vice chancellor at UC Riverside.

(From left to right) Michael Layne, Executive Director, SBVC Foundation; Nancy Negrete, Chairman & CEO, Stater Bros. Charities; Dr. Gilbert Contreras, President, San Bernardino Valley College.

Photo credit: Giovanny Elizarraraz