LAKEPORT, Calif. – All former Lake County Mendocino College graduates and students are invited to a first-ever alumni reception at the new Lake Center.

Hosted by the Lake County Friends of Mendocino College, an affiliate of the Mendocino College Foundation Inc., the free event will be on Saturday, May 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. at 2565 Parallel Drive, Lakeport.

Anyone who has attended one or more classes at any of the Mendocino College campuses is considered an alumnus of the local community college.

Current and former residents of Lake County are encouraged to attend to network with fellow alumni.
 
Campus tours and refreshments will be offered, along with the opportunity to win special gifts and prizes, including certificates for purchases at the college bookstore.

Attendees may bring photographs and business cards for the new Wall of Fame being established at the Lake Center.

A short program beginning at 2:45 p.m. will include Mendocino College graduates who are alumni of Lake County high schools.

Featured speakers Anthony Farrington, Clear Lake High School; Michelle Wells Trigger, Upper Lake High School; and Lily Woll, Kelseyville High School will talk about their personal and professional success since their days at Mendocino College.

Others in attendance will be encouraged to share their stories.

The Governing Council of the Lake County Friends is sponsoring the reception, with a generous donation from member John Tomkins, president of the Mendocino College Board of Trustees and a long-time supporter of education at all levels in Lake County.

Members of the Friends include Peggy Campbell, Judy Conard, Brock Falkenberg, Lori McGuire, Cameron Reeves, Wilda Shock, Margaret Silveira, and Rebecca Southwick of Lakeport; Gloria Flaherty, Wally Holbrook and Trena Pauly, Kelseyville; Dave Geck and Jamey Gill, Cobb; Christopher Taliaferro, Lower Lake; and John Tomkins, Lucerne.

Katie Fairbairn, executive director of the Mendocino College Foundation, and Steve Hixenbaugh, interim dean of the Lake Center, serve as staff support for the affiliate organization.

Reservations are requested to www.lcfmc.weebly.com . More information is available from Shock, chair of the governing council, at 707-263-7575.