New CASA for Pitzer in Ontario

On April 14, Pitzer celebrated the College’s 20-year community partnership with the City of Ontario and the opening of CASA Ontario, Pitzer in Ontario’s new office. Interim President Thomas Poon, Ontario Mayor Paul Leon and PIO Director Susan Phillips, along with Costanoan Rumsen Carmel Tribe Chairman Tony Cerda, Huerta del Valle Executive Director Maria Alonso and 200 community members, students, faculty and staff came together for the ribbon-cutting ceremony and inaugural festivities.

Strategically located in historic downtown Ontario, CASA Ontario will house local organization offices, classrooms for students and community members, and will offer space for trainings, conferences, fundraisers and region-wide stakeholder gatherings to tackle issues ranging from public health and education to the environment and immigration.

Photo Gallery

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Ribbon cutting ceremony at CASA Ontario with Interim President Tom Poon, Mayor of Ontario Paul Leon, and Pitzer and Ontario community members.

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Ribbon cutting ceremony at CASA Ontario with Interim President Tom Poon, Mayor of Ontario Paul Leon, and Pitzer and Ontario community members.

Group photo at CASA Ontario opening.

Group photo at CASA Ontario opening.

People eating and socializing at the CASA Ontario opening.

People eating and socializing at the CASA Ontario opening.

People eating and socializing at the CASA Ontario opening.

People eating and socializing at the CASA Ontario opening.

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People eating and socializing at the CASA Ontario opening. Interim President Thomas Poon and Interim Dean of Faculty Nigel Boyle are on the left.

People and socializing at the CASA Ontario opening.

People and socializing at the CASA Ontario opening.

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Interim President Thomas Poon and representative of California 35th Congressional District with certificate of special congressional recognition.

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Director of Pitzer in Ontario Susan Phillips and representative of California 35th Congressional District with certificate of special congressional recognition.

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Ontario Mayor Paul Leon presents Director of Pitzer in Ontario Susan Phillips a certificate from the City of Ontario at the CASA Ontario opening.

Ontario Mayor Paul Leon adresses the attendees at the CASA Ontario opening.

Ontario Mayor Paul Leon adresses the attendees at the CASA Ontario opening.

Ontario Mayor Paul Leon adresses the attendees at the CASA Ontario opening.

Ontario Mayor Paul Leon adresses the attendees at the CASA Ontario opening.

Interim President Thomas Poon at the CASA Ontario opening.

Interim President Thomas Poon at the CASA Ontario opening.

Soakai family after singing a Tongun blessing song.

Soakai family after singing a Tongun blessing song.

Crowd at the CASA Ontario opening listens to the Tongun blessing song.

Crowd at the CASA Ontario opening listens to the Tongun blessing song.

Soakai family sings Teu Hiki A Hoku Leo, a Tongan blessing song.

Soakai family sings Teu Hiki A Hoku Leo, a Tongan blessing song.

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Soakai family, with Eleni Soakai at right, sings Teu Hiki A Hoku Leo, a Tongan blessing song.

Eleni Soakai, matriarch of the Soakai family, gives a Tongun blessing song.

Eleni Soakai, matriarch of the Soakai family, gives a Tongun blessing song.

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Tony Cerda, tribal chairman of the Rumsen/Ohlone pople, and his grandson give a native American blessing at the CASA Ontario opening.

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Tony Cerda, tribal chairman of the Rumsen/Ohlone people, and his grandson give a native American blessing at the CASA Ontario opening.

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Tony Cerda, tribal chairman of the Rumsen/Ohlone people, and his grandson give a native American opening at the CASA Ontario opening.

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Susan Phillips, director of Pitzer in Ontario, speaking at the opening of CASA Ontario.

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Director of Pitzer in Ontario Susan Phillips addresses the crowd at the opening of CASA Ontario.

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Susan Phillips, director of Pitzer in Ontario, speaking at the opening of CASA Ontario.

A toddler has her face painted at the opening of CASA Ontario.

A toddler has her face painted at the opening of CASA Ontario.

A toddler has her face painted at the opening of CASA Ontario.

A toddler has her face painted at the opening of CASA Ontario.

CASA Ontario office space.

CASA Ontario office space.

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Group photo with Susan Phillips, director of Pitzer in Ontario and Pitzer in Ontario program students at the CASA Ontario opening.

A boy get his face painted at the CASA Ontario opening.

A boy get his face painted at the CASA Ontario opening.

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CEC staff member Jenessa Flores Parker and her two children at the CASA Ontario opening.

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Photos and greens from the Huerte del Valle community garden at the Casa Ontario Opening.

Three women pose in the photo area decorated with large paper flowers.

Three women pose in the photo area decorated with large paper flowers.

Selfie photo area with large paper flowers.

Selfie photo area with large paper flowers.

Children playing at the opening of CASA Ontario.

Children playing at the opening of CASA Ontario.

Balloons in front of CASA Ontario.

Balloons in front of CASA Ontario.

Balloons in front of CASA Ontario.

Balloons in front of CASA Ontario.