Ventura College Foundation Board Expands

    VENTURA, CA, February 07, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Ventura College Foundation's Executive Director Norbert Tan has announced the addition of new board member, Robert Beilin, Ph.D., MFT. A licensed marital and family therapist, Dr. Beilin has been providing mediation, psychotherapy, coaching and consultation in Ventura County for forty years and has been a faculty member at California Lutheran University's Graduate School of Psychology since 2008.

"Bob has a deep appreciation for the work VCF does on behalf of the college and its students, and has personally founded two scholarships at Ventura College: one in honor of his daughter, and the other, a Phoenix Scholarship, in honor of his mother," said John Woolley, chairman of the Ventura College Foundation board of directors. "As a long-time resident of the city of Ventura, Bob has a lengthy history of fundraising and community outreach experience, which will be an asset in helping the Foundation continue to accomplish the goals of its mission"

In 2003, Dr. Beilin's 22-year-old daughter had just completed her 2-year degree and was planning to continue through the Nursing program at Ventura College when her life was taken from her by a drunk driver. As part of her legacy, Dr. Beilin and his wife established a $25,000 Nursing scholarship in her memory which was then matched with another $25,000 from the VCF board. Now every year, he and his wife honor the memory of their daughter by awarding scholarships to one, and sometimes two, hard-working students pursing Ventura College's Nursing program. "It is inspiring to hear the personal stories of these students, who have worked so hard and are so qualified; how they have devoted their lives to nursing and often to supporting their families," said Beilin.

Two years ago, Dr. Beilin established a Phoenix scholarship in memory of his mother, who was never able to finish school because she didn't have the financial help she needed to attend college while working full time to provide for her family. The Phoenix scholarships are awarded to "re-entry" students, who return to school to learn new skills in order to be competitive in the marketplace or who are returning to school after an extended break.

"Each year, I am inspired by the scholarship recipients' stories of unwavering determination to overcome financial and personal challenges so that they can attend college to upgrade their skills and make a better life for themselves and their families," said Dr. Beilin. "It is an honor to be able to support a worthy student and make a contribution to society in a way that is so profoundly meaningful."

In addition to his private practice and teaching, Dr. Beilin frequently provides expert testimony in family law and forensic mental health court cases. He also serves as director of the CLU Family Mediation Program where he teaches Family Mediation as a specialization, as well as law and ethics.

The Ventura College Foundation's board of directors is led by Woolley, chair; Ruth Hemming, vice-chair; Mike Montoya, treasurer; Sharon Watts Woolley, secretary; Donna Santo, immediate past chair; Greg Gillespie, Ventura College president; and Norbert Tan, executive director.

Established in 1983, the Ventura College Foundation provides financial support to the students and the programs of Ventura College to facilitate student success and grow the impact and legacy of Ventura College as a vital community asset. The Foundation also hosts the Ventura College Foundation Marketplace, an outdoor shopping experience held every weekend on the Ventura College campus east parking lot. For more information, contact Norbert Tan at (805) 289-6160 or [email protected]. Or visit http://www.venturacollege.edu/foundation.

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