Richter F. Kinnune

1. What made you reach out to GCC after so many years?
My wife and I took a road trip to southern California, which included a "trip down memory lane" with a day in Glendale. It had been over 60 years since we attended GCC. We were considering our financial legacy plans and supporting education is high on my list. While on campus, we inquired about becoming a donor. Lisa Brooks met with us, introduced us to the Glendale College Foundation and arranged a visit to a Chem lab, which brought up fond memories of attending chemistry courses.

2. What makes Glendale stand out from other community colleges?
The GCC community values maintaining an excellent learning environment. Whether it’s a college degree or a certification course, higher education is the main driver of personal and societal growth and success. GCC provides the ability to deliver a high-quality educational opportunity.

3. How did you learn about the new Science Building Capital Campaign effort?
I read about the bond measure and project on the GCC website. The study of the Physical Sciences was the key to my personal success, so I inquired about "sponsorship" opportunities for the New Science Building project. Foundation Executive Director, Lisa Brooks, took it from there, arranging a Zoom presentation that effectively presented the facility and brought up possible sponsorship ideas.

4. Why did you choose to sponsor "Student Collaboration Spaces"?
My appreciation for my professors inspired me to sponsor the "SCS" adjoining the Physical Science teaching facilities. Both science and teaching knowledge were influential to my career success. Researching their program offerings and careers only bolstered my personal impressions of their dedication to science education and validated my choice of honorees.

5. What was your most notable experience as a student at GCC?
GCC's affordable tuition allowed me to complete the necessary prerequisites to obtain my engineering degree from UC Berkeley. I will never forget the support from Professor Joel Youngquist, who inspired me to study business and engineering, which ultimately propelled me into a rewarding career in "High Tech."

6. How has GCC supported your success?
GCC provided me with the tools and support to receive my BSEE in Control & Power Systems and my MBA in Industrial Marketing and Procurement from UC Berkeley. I have achieved a rewarding career with Raychem, a Fortune 500 materials science company, developing a wide range of products based on radiation polymer chemistry. Attending GCC set me on the trajectory that now allows me to serve as the Director of US Sales and North American Marketing for the Electrical Products Group.

7. Why choose to support GCC?
I am a "poster child" beneficiary of California's original "Master Plan For Higher Education" initiative. More than ever, it is clear that many California students need our additional support to achieve higher education. No one "gives you a good education!" Serious and successful work requires cutting-edge tools and techniques to maximize productivity and results. Building facilities, developing properly focused curricula, and hiring skilled educators require significant investments. GCC is well positioned to provide that access and tailor courses to fit the current educational needs of society and the present/future student population. These investments must be made today to ensure our continued future success as a vibrant society!

To learn more or make an investment, please contact:
Lisa Brooks
Executive Director
Glendale College Foundation
lbrooks@glendale.edu