San Bernardino
One of the community’s most generous citizens, Mark C. Edwards, in partnership with his wife Lori, has opened his heart and generously supported at-risk youth, specifically through CSUSB’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Renaissance Scholars. The program provides emancipated foster youth with educational experiences and a nurturing environment that can afford them the opportunity to obtain a college degree.
The Edwards not only financially support the program, but also expose the students to a variety of enrichment activities. The couple established this generous endowment because their son was in foster care before Mark adopted him. They believe that most foster youth do not continue on to higher education because of the lack of a support network. Over the past nine years, the Edwards have donated funds, gifts-in-kind and cultural experiences for more than 60 foster youth served through the program.
In 2014, the couple were named Philanthropists of the Year by The Inland Empire Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Their extensive community involvement includes support for the San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, Central City Lutheran Mission, Highland Senior Center, San Bernardino Area Chamber of Commerce, Business Development Association of the Inland Empire, San Bernardino Leadership program, San Bernardino Convention and Visitors Bureau, Downtown Business Association, San Bernardino YWCA, The Flagstaff Family Food Center, the City of San Bernardino Mayor’s Business Advisory Commission, and the First Presbyterian Church of San Bernardino.
In addition, Mr. Edwards chairs the Advocacy Committee of the CSUSB Philanthropic Foundation Board, and regularly sponsors his own travel to Sacramento to advocate on behalf of the CSU and CSUSB.
Mr. Edwards’ achievements demonstrate many of the core values of our community and he will represent the California State University system and CSU San Bernardino with distinction.
In recognition of his many accomplishments and extensive contributions to the university and the community, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, San Bernardino are proud to confer upon Mark C. Edwards the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.