The Founder's Oak Society Standing Tall for Student Success What is the Founder’s Oak Society? Have you ever wondered what makes DVC’s commitment to student success so strong? Without a doubt, it’s the dedication and support of the Faculty and Staff of DVC. Within this dedicated group is a special circle of faculty and staff who make ongoing donations to the DVC Foundation to support programs, scholarships, and initiatives that provide essential opportunities for our students. This group is DVC’s Faculty and Staff Founder’s Oak Society. Named after the majestic oak tree that once stood at the heart of our campus, the Founder’s Oak Society embodies strength, growth, and lasting impact. Just as the oak tree offered shade and support for generations, members of the Founder’s Oak Society help build a future of success for DVC students through their ongoing contributions. Why Your Support Matters, and Why Now? We are at a critical moment of growth and opportunity for the DVC Foundation. In recent years, our impact has expanded significantly, allowing us to support more scholarships, student programs, and campus initiatives than ever before. Today, your participation in the Founder’s Oak Society is crucial in ensuring we continue to make timely, impactful, and responsive funding decisions for student success. Your support helps us move beyond reactive fundraising—such as “passing the hat” during emergencies—and enables proactive, sustainable support for student success. Together, we can ensure students have continuous access to the resources they need most. Join the Society Today Oak Roots Level $90/month Building deep, lasting roots of student success. Your support ensures resources for generations to come! Join Through Payroll Donations Here Or... Join Through Online Giving Here Click "Foundation Payroll Deduction Form" All Donations are tax-deductible, straightforward to set up, and profoundly meaningful! Your Impact In Action... Enhancing Emergency Grants In 2024, over $12,000 was given to students facing urgent financial crises. With your support, we aim to provide at least $25,000 annually by 2025, ensuring immediate assistance is always available. Expanding Scholarships We’ve increased scholarship funding by 200%, awarding over $200,000 annually. We’re projecting another 20% increase in 2025, enabling even more students to access critical financial support. Funding Student Success Programs Last year, the Foundation funded over 55 academic and hands-on student success programs, investing directly in opportunities that prepare students for real-world challenges. In 2025, our goal is to provide more than $100,000 toward these transformative initiatives. Investing in Staff Development From funding the President’s Classified Exemplary Service Award to providing professional development resources, the Foundation is committed to filling the gaps and supporting DVC’s dedicated faculty and staff. Strengthening Alumni Connections In its second successful year, the DVC Alumni Association, funded by the Foundation, continues to provide critical mentorship, networking, and community-building opportunities. The Legacy You Leave Together, let’s stand tall for student success! In the early 1950s, a majestic oak tree was left standing amid the bulldozers as the DVC campus took shape. For decades, Founder’s Oak served as a symbol of community, strength, and resilience—offering shade and shelter to generations of students and staff. Though storms and age eventually took the tree, its spirit continues through the generosity of our Founder’s Oak Society members. Your ongoing support ensures that the legacy of Founder’s Oak lives on, providing immediate assistance to students, funding meaningful programs, and fostering a campus environment where every student can thrive.

<- Back to Student Success Stories A Message from Jim Blair, Executive Director at the DVC Foundation November, 2025 April, 2025 Dear Veterans, Thirty-six years ago, I was discharged from the United States Army and landed at Diablo Valley College. Those who've never served won't know the adjustment needed between military and civilian life. From a very regimented life of near constant work with little time off, I had landed in a world where self-determination and leisure time were the new reality. This was the late 1980s, and while I didn't face the poor reception our Vietnam veterans received, there weren't any celebrations around my return to the civilian world. I didn't expect or need any. However, there was also very little support for my transition back to the world. On the campus, I was expected to find my own way. After years of being told what to do, this was difficult. Now, the life on campus for returning veterans is much different, and it should be. After two decades of nearly constant conflict, our newer veteran students land at the college and have a considerable amount of support services. With those services, I can report that they are some of the highest performing students on campus and often transfer to elite colleges when they leave here. I want to take this Veterans Day to thank all of our donors because without you, we would not be able to support our student veterans as they make their return to the civilian world. It's because of people like you that we've been able to create the services that our veterans deserve after they complete their service to our country. We're now building out a new space for veterans on campus, and your continued support of these programs will ensure that we can create a space on campus that allows them to study and receive the support services they deserve. If you have a desire to assist with this buildout, please contact Thom Martin in the Foundation office, and he will work with you to maximize your impact. To our donors that have served, I wish you the best this Veterans Day. Jim Blair Executive Director Diablo Valley College Foundation Donate

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