‘Mr. COC’ Awarded Silver Spur Award In Annual College Of The Canyons Celebration

Posted by: Rachel Matta in College of the Canyons, Education Corner, Santa Clarita Latest News May 14, 2022 - 8:12 pm 0 1,791 Views

In recognition of his “unwavering” support to College of the Canyons (COC) throughout its five-decade history, the college’s foundation presented Bruce Fortine with the prestigious “Silver Spur” Community Service Award during the first annual celebration since the on-set of the pandemic.

Held in the backlot of Santa Clarita Studios in Valencia on Saturday, cocktails and appetizers preceded the 30th annual Silver Spur Celebration in honor of Fortine, who has connected the college to people in almost every segment of the community for decades.

A Timeline Of Support

An original member of the COC Board of Trustees, Fortine served on the board until 1973 when he was hired as a COC employee and required to resign from his current position.

“He has been a part of College of the Canyons since the very beginning,” said Chancellor Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook in a previous article. “His character, commitment to the college, care for students, and connections to the community have been instrumental in shaping the development of our college. The Santa Clarita Community College District is deeply indebted to his tireless support, which spans more than 50 years.”

During his time as a COC employee, Fortine created the Community Services/Non-Credit Department and also served as the Public Information Officer until 1978. In 1991, he returned to the District to fill a seat on the COC Board of Trustees, a seat he held until 2016.

A Postponed Thank You

With his five-decade dedication to the COC campus, Fortine was expected to receive the Silver Spur award in March 2020, but the event was canceled at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to event officials.

“After two years of postponement, it is with great joy and renewed enthusiasm that we look forward to celebrating Bruce Fortine for his legacy and lasting contributions to College of the Canyons,” Van Hook said in a previous article.

Given his involvement with the college that stretches from its earliest days to its latest accomplishments, Fortine played a significant role in establishing the college as an innovative learning institution by working behind the scenes on each of the college’s five local bond measures, the first of which was passed by local voters in 1970 and provided the funding to buy the land on which the Valencia Campus is located.

Leaving A Legacy

“Fortine, who is affectionately referred to by many as ‘Mr. COC,’ is well known for sharing his passion about the college, and connecting the college to resources and partnerships in almost every segment of the community,” read a statement from COC officials.

Among the college’s key initiatives on which he worked are the capital campaigns for the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center and the College of the Canyons Institute for Culinary Education. He was also instrumental in rallying support for the mid-1990s expansion of the college’s athletics programs, which included the revival of the college’s football team, as well as the addition of the women’s soccer team and the women’s golf team.

Fortine’s fundraising efforts on behalf of the college also include raising funds for the Dare to Dream Scholarship, the Re-entry program, the Legacy Giving Program, the Osher Scholarship challenge, and the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, according to COC officials.

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