Crafton Hills College, Foundation hosts multi-chamber mixer to celebrate newly opened Performing Arts Center
Publish Date: June 2, 2026
Crafton Hills College’s students of today are the workforce of tomorrow.
That’s the message organizers behind a multi-chamber mixer on June 2 hoped guests took with them as they left Yucaipa’s college on the hill following the early evening event.
Hosted by the Crafton Hills College Foundation, the college welcomed local and neighboring chambers of commerce from Beaumont, Banning, Calimesa, Highland, Mentone, Colton, Yucaipa, Redlands, and Loma Linda for an exclusive tour of the newly opened Finkelstein Performing Arts Center. Guests had the opportunity to explore the state-of-the-art facility, featuring advanced technology and industry-standard tools designed to prepare the next generation of musicians, actors, and artists.
“Crafton Hills is not necessarily all that visible in the community because we are not on the main boulevard,” explained Foundation Vice President June Yamamoto. “Unless you’ve been here before or…come up Sand Canyon, you’re not actually going to see Crafton Hills College. But this is a way to get people here and see what we’re all about.”
Crafton last hosted a multi-chamber mixer four years ago in recognition of new upgrades to its Fire Academy instruction facilities.
Like that event, the 2026 mixer featured lively conversation, student performances, and remarks from leaders of Crafton and the San Bernardino Community College District.
Crafton President Kevin Horan spoke about how the college’s roots are grounded in acts of philanthropy, beginning in the 1960s, when Lester and Ruben Finkelstein—whom the space is named after—donated the land where the college sits.
SBCCD Board of Trustees Chair Nathan Gonzales then shared how Crafton and its sister college, San Bernardino Valley College, have transformed the lives of so many in the Inland Empire region.
“The missions of our Chambers of Commerce and our colleges are more closely aligned than many probably realize,” he said. “We’re all working toward making our region a better place to live, a better place to raise a family, a better place to work and a better place to achieve our dreams.”
For more than 50 years, the Crafton Hills College Foundation has supported the college in advancing the educational, career, and personal success of the Roadrunner community. To learn more about how you can support its endeavors, go to craftonhills.edu/foundation.
Since 1972, Crafton Hills College has provided world-class education and opportunity to thousands and now offers more than 50 majors in the liberal arts and sciences, vocations, and technical studies. To learn more about the college, its impact, and offerings, visit craftonhills.edu.
