Foundation Stories, News & Events2021-04-13T05:57:58-07:00

Foundation Stories

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Latest News & Events

Bill Chunowitz: College Education Benefits All

As Bill Chunowitz sees it, College of the Desert’s success is the Coachella Valley’s success. That is why he and his wife, Joanne, have been ardent supporters of the College since 2014. “Most of the students end up staying here and working after graduation, so everybody wins,” said Chunowitz, president of the College of the Desert Foundation’s Board of Directors. His donations are used where they are most needed to help the College and its students stay competitive in academic and training programs, whether that means purchasing the latest equipment or hiring talented instructors. “I love the College. We’re doing good things and expanding,” he said. Chunowitz served on the 2019 Stepping Out for COD Committee, which brought record attendance to the McCallum Theatre and is a member of the President’s Circle, which supports priority programs at the College. Chunowitz is a retired CPA who has been a full-time desert [...]

Cynthia Williams’ Pledge Aids Student Emergency Fund

As our community continues to confront the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, College of the Desert students who are in urgent need of help with food, rent, childcare and more have been able to get relief from the Student Emergency Fund. Many students at College of the Desert and their family members have lost their jobs, complicating already-tenuous living situations. Before the crisis, a great number of students depended on the school’s food pantry and FIND Food Bank distributions as well as health services, to stay in school. The need for that support has only been magnified by the current situation. Early in the coronavirus outbreak, the College of the Desert Foundation stepped up to help struggling students by donating $100,000 to the Student Emergency Fund. In the first week alone, the Foundation reviewed and funded 55 requests for help. Cynthia Williams, the wife of Foundation Board member Jim Williams, [...]

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