The East Los Angeles College Alumni Association is an organization founded and based in East Los Angeles College by English professor Dennis Sanchez. The Alumni Association currently represents the entire college and its student body and is responsible for fostering and maintaining a close connection to its graduates.
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History
Since its establishment in 1945, East Los Angeles College has been responsible for providing academic and career services and opportunities to thousands of students, many of which hail from the surrounding communities of Monterey Park and East Los Angeles and currently boasts an enrollment of over 34,000.
During its seventy-year existence, the college has played an enormous role in building and reaching out to local citizens, many of whom have become well-established in their respective fields, some of which include L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and artist Kent Twitchell. The purpose of the Alumni association is to ensure that all of its graduates stay connected with the college and continually contribute to its growth even after their transition to mainstream universities, careers, and occupations. In addition, the Alumni Association encourages students to live and realize the motto of the college "Start at ELAC."
Events and Programs
The Alumni Association coordinates and arranges an Annual Scholarship Dinner, inviting all former graduates in addition to current students to attend and participate. This dinner - together with other events - also yield profits that go directly to the establishment of scholarship funds for lower income students.
The Alumni Association also issues an alumni card which grants discounts to all sporting events that take place in the college.
Leadership
At the head of the Alumni Association of the college are the Executive Director Dennis Sanchez, author and professor of English, and ELAC President Marvin Martinez, appointed in 2013 by the Los Angeles Community College District.
In addition, the Alumni Association collaborates with the Gene Block, current chancellor of UCLA.