UKIAH, Calif. – “Gala on the Green,” Mendocino College Foundation’s annual fundraiser to benefit Mendocino College students and programs, is scheduled for Saturday, June 1, 2013. Organizers are excited to announce that for the first time the 2013 event will be held at Mendocino College’s Ukiah campus in the newly developed Student Plaza area.

“We are bringing the Gala home, “announced Richard Cooper, special events chair and foundation vice president. “It’s time to let people see and experience our incredible campus.”

In addition, this year’s event will be combined with the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program’s annual fundraiser Vine & Dine, which similar to the gala provides student scholarships.

MESA students come from a variety of backgrounds, but all are eligible to receive financial aide and are first generation college students.

The MESA Program at Mendocino Community College supports students majoring in architecture, biology, business, chemistry, computer science, engineering, mathematics and nursing.  

MESA provides tutoring support, MESA Club and center, winter and summer math institutes, summer science institute, access  to scholarships, leadership development, assistance in the transfer process, calculator and equipment checkout and academic excellence workshops and shadow classes for all non-remedial problem-based math and science classes.

This event will be held in the newly developed Student Plaza which is located in between the new Library/Learning Center Building and the former library building which will be home to the College bookstore, Schat’s Bakery and student activities. The setting is beautiful with a breathtaking view of Ukiah’s eastern hills.   

The gala festivities include dinner, wine, auctions, campus tours, music and wine and appetizer samplings.

The event begins at 5 p.m. and will be preceded by an optional tours and a surprise event between 4 and 5 p.m.

More than 325 people showed their support by attending last year’s Gala on the Green which raised more than $84,000 for scholarships and educational programs.

Event and support sponsors are needed for the event, according to organizers.  

Sponsorship levels are named in memory of foundation donors. The highest level is in honor of George Szanik who generously gifted his estate to the Mendocino College Foundation.  

Sponsors receive tables at the event, name listings in programs and media releases, advertising on their website and Facebook page.  

Additionally, sponsors are named in large bulk mailings and radio advertising. Inclusion in advertising varies depending on the level of sponsorship.

Businesses, organizations and individuals interested in providing a gala sponsorship are urged to call the foundation office, 707-467-1018.

Tickets for the event are $100 per person. Tables for eight may be reserved for $700. Additional information about tickets and table reservations is available on the foundation’s Web site, http://foundation.mendocino.edu .

Sponsors for the 2013 event include Selzer Realty, TLCD Architecture, Mendo Lake Credit Union, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, Skunk Train, Richard Cooper, Cater/Knight/Momsen Attorneys At Law, Midstate Construction, Weibel Family Winery, SHN Consulting, Gary Nix, Wright Contracting, Jay & Lisa Epstein-State Farm Insurance, Gary & Edelgard Smith, Frank R. Howard Hospital, Stan’s Maple Café, John Goldsmith & Rand Rodgers-Wells Fargo Advisors, Sutter Lakeside Hospital, Lake County Friends of Mendocino College, Kit Elliott and George Husaruk and Diane Daubeneck.

For more information about the 2013 Gala or about the Mendocino College Foundation, visit the Foundation’s website at http://foundation.mendocino.edu or the gala Web site at www.galaonthegreen.org .