MSJC Motorcycle Run a Success

The 3rd annual MSJC Foundation Scholarship Motorcycle Run attracted about 100 riders and scores of other guests on Saturday, April 28, 2012 who came out to support students by raising scholarship funds.

Riders Hans and Jenny Emmenegger of Hemet said the event provided them a way of helping students while also having fun.

Mary Lucas, president of the MSJC Foundation Board of Directors, said she was pleased with attendance and especially pleased that the motorcycle run is so unique among community colleges.

“This event is just so different from typical fundraising activities,” she said. “It attracts people from a wide area and helps them to see the beauty of the region and understand the hard work Mt. San Jacinto College is doing to provide a quality education to the students. I’m also grateful to our sponsors, whose support helps us make these events possible and fun for everyone.”

Riders started the day at the San Jacinto Campus, where they were treated to a continental breakfast and a greeting by Dr. Bill Vincent, vice president of Student Services. He thanked sponsors and participants and reminded them that their support is especially important now, as state funding for community colleges continues to decline, reducing opportunities for students to achieve their educational goals.

MSJC continues to serve more than 1,000 students over what it receives in per-student funding, despite funding cuts from the state. Since 2008, MSJC has experienced over $9 million in state cuts. The college faces $2.7 million in cuts in 2011-12 and another $5.2 million if the November tax initiative does not pass. Current funding cuts translate to 808 fewer full-time equivalent students being served at MSJC.

Interim Police Chief Terry Meadows covered safety and other instructions before the group departed.

Riders took a scenic run, stopping at the San Gorgonio Pass Campus and traveling through Idyllwild and Anza and before they arrived at the Menifee Valley Campus for BBQ Tri-tip Lunch. Riders received a commemorative lapel pin. All guests were able to buy motorcycle run T-shirts, visit vendor booths and enjoy music and food.

The Run is designed to raise money for student scholarships and attracts riders from all over Southern California. The MSJC Foundation hosts a variety of events to raise money for student scholarships, faculty mini grants and other philanthropic endeavors that support the college and its students. For more information on the MSJC Foundation, please visit www.msjc.edu/foundation.

The MSJC Foundation thanks the sponsors:

Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians

American Idle Motorcycles

Southwest Riverside News Network (SWRNN)

Quaid Temecula Harley Davidson

Renegade Classics Corona

Mt. San Jacinto College Bookstore

Prime Performance Motorsports

Mt. San Jacinto College Student Services Leadership

Tobin Steel Company, Inc.

Dairy Queen Anza

4imprint

Guerrilla Cables Extended Handlebar wiring harness

Anadys Trophies & Engraving

Valerie Tichy-Drummer, State Farm

Steve & Mary Mapes

Fred Frontino

Tom Spillman – MSJC Student Service Leadership

Stater Bros. Markets

MSJC is a comprehensive community college that is part of California’s 112-community college system. A single college District, MSJC serves a 1,700-square mile area from the San Gorgonio Pass to Temecula. It serves 20,000 students annually at the San Jacinto, Menifee Valley and San Gorgonio Pass campuses, the Temecula Education Complex and many off-site locations.   

—Contributed by Karin Marriott, MSJC