Palomar, CSUSM to host spring galas

By: NOELLE IBRAHIM - Staff Writer | Friday, January 5, 2007 10:46 PM PST ∞

SAN MARCOS ----- Two major fundraising galas are being held this spring to support programs, scholarships and campus projects at Palomar College and Cal State San Marcos.

Hosted by the President's Associates, a support group to the Palomar College Foundation, Palomar's 16th annual black tie gala was moved from its traditional fall date this school year so that volunteers could focus their efforts on passing a facilities bond in November. The gala will be held March 3 at the Rancho Bernardo Inn to benefit student scholarships and programs.

Cal State San Marcos' 19th annual fundraiser, which has also undergone changes, will be held on campus this year at the M. Gordon Clarke Field House and will have a more relaxed feel than in years past. The April 14 event aims to raise money for the university, focusing on its growing athletic programs.

"There's a great sense of optimism for the future growth of the college," said Norma Bean, director of extended education at Palomar who is chairwoman of the gala for the second consecutive year.

Under the theme of "Palomar Celebrates its Past, Present and Future," the gala salutes the college's origins, embraces the present and looks forward to the future, said Bean. The timing is also fitting since the college finished celebrating 60 years of excellence in 2006, she said.

"The excitement around here is high and there are nothing but positive things happening," said Pam Grasso, Palomar College Foundation and gala coordinator.

Grasso said the decision to delay the gala from fall to spring was meant to allow college administrators, faculty, students, staff and supporters who were working as volunteers on the bond measure to direct their energy into "something bigger, more long-term." Proposition M, the $694 million facilities bond that passed in November, will be combined with nearly $300 million in matching state funds to construct 15 buildings and renovate 15 others.

"We didn't want two major efforts competing with each other," said Bean. "To avoid any type of competition, we spread our resources, both time and monetary."

To show appreciation for district support given to the bond measure, the gala will be held at the Rancho Bernardo Inn, rather than at a venue outside the district, where past fundraisers have been held.

"Since the district supported our bond, it seems prudent to keep our business within the district," said Bean.

The gala, which kicks off with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. and wraps up at midnight, features a gourmet dinner, student entertainment and performances, horse racing, dancing to the sounds of the Mar Dels and live and silent auctions, including glasswork and pottery created by Palomar students. Tickets are $250 per person and tables begin at $2,500. Contact Renie Colwell at (760) 744-1150, Ext. 2733 for reservations.

Cal State San Marcos also holds an annual fundraiser not only to benefit the university in general, but also to highlight a new or emerging program each year. While last year's gala focused on the school's new nursing program, this year's "Fields of Dreams" fundraiser is meant to bring visibility to the university's growing athletic program, which added men's and women's soccer, softball and baseball in 2006 to existing golf teams, track and cross country.

"Our ultimate goal is to fund raise, friend-raise and raise awareness to build out and complete athletic facilities," said Rick Keith, vice president of university advancement. "The growth and emergence of an athletic program will certainly add to our campus climate. It gives students, faculty and the community something to rally around."

With opening seasons of baseball and softball starting this February, the greatest need is funding for additional home fields for those sports, said Steve Nichols, director of athletics. Currently, the baseball team practices and plays at San Marcos High School and the softball team at Mission Hills High School. Existing home facilities on campus include the Mangrum Track and Soccer Field.

"To have a complete university experience, students need things like collegiate sports," said Nichols, adding that the university plans to build athletic fields on 25 acres of the "front yard," the northwest quad of campus. "We're excited to be the beneficiary this year."

Jennifer Milo, head softball coach and assistant athletic director for development, said she hopes the fundraiser educates the community about the needs of student athletes, which include an athletic facility they can call their own.

"School spirit is definitely here," said Milo. "We have the teams, we have the coaches, we just need the fields."

The event will also help raise money for athletic scholarships, which will make recruiting efforts better and allow CSUSM to be more competitive with other 4-year schools, she said.

"Fields of Dreams," which runs from 6 to 11 p.m., begins with a reception for donors and includes dinner and dancing. Money raised from silent and live auctions will go toward team wish lists, which include everything from golf bags to running shoes. The goal is to raise $250,000, said Keith.

Individual tickets cost $275 and tables of 10 begin at $3,000. For ticket and table reservations, contact Arlene Ruiz at (760) 750-4400.

Contact staff writer Noelle Ibrahim at (760) 761-4404 or nibrahim@nctimes.com.