COSTA MESA : OCC Gets Record $1.2 Million in Gifts

The local economy may remain mired in recession, but Orange Coast College raised a record $1.2 million in private gifts over the last school year--a 38% increase over the previous year.

The largest chunk of cash contributions--$287,318--was raised as part of a campaign to renovate the college’s Robert B. Moore Theatre.

The single contribution was the 70-foot racing yacht, the Obsession, donated by Connecticut communications executive Steve Nichols. The vessel, which is being used in the college’s sailing program, is valued at $225,000, said campus spokesman Jim Carnett.

Other major donations included $159,431 from the Harry and Grace Steele Foundation; $65,886 from Orange Coast College employees; $56,800 from the George Hoag Family Foundation; $50,000 from Richard Berg of Newport Beach; $25,000 from Union Bank, and $12,300 from the city of Costa Mesa.

In all, the college received $677,097 in cash donations and $526,146 in in-kind gifts from July 1, 1991, through June 20, Carnett said. That compares to a total of $870,705 raised for the year ending in June, 1991, and the previous record of $961,144 set in the year ending in June, 1990.