President Ortiz celebrates a gift from engineering technology alumnus Marty Colombatto and his wife, Stefanie, to the College of Engineering. The couple donated $100,000 to upgrade one of the engineering labs with 70 pieces of equipment.

"Our hands-on model is what separates us from other universities. We also know that our educational model is costly. If we want our graduates to continue to be in demand, they need to have access to state-of-the-art equipment," Ortiz says. "This is the power of philanthropy; individuals and companies recognizing where gifts can make a difference."

President Ortiz encourages the campus community to watch online video biographies of Jesse Owens and Jackie Robinson, in which political science Professor Renford Reese is interviewed. The mini documentaries, featured on the Biography Channel website, are part of Black History month.

Landscape architecture Professor Kyle Brown and regenerative studies master's students have been sharing some environmental lessons with elementary students and their families. Last week, the group discussed waste, composting, recycling and reusing at Westmont Community Center in Pomona.

President Ortiz also highlights the upcoming theatre production of "Dracula," a special panel discussion with four Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, Community Service Day, and the final basketball games of the regular season.

To read the entire video message, download a PDF of the transcript.