Lowell has attained prominence in the real estate industry locally and on a national level since 1977, when he began his career. He specializes in bank-owned or REO properties at Coldwell Banker, and is currently Broker/Owner of Coldwell Banker Tri-Counties Realty.

Lowell has been very generous in giving to the Behavioral Sciences Department, to the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, and the University. In 2001, he initiated a new scholarship for the BHS Department, and was also a donor to the CLASS Alumni Chapter Endowed Scholarship Fund, which he founded. For the past two years he has funded the Lowell Overton Scholarship, a $1600 scholarship awarded to an outstanding Psychology, Sociology or Behavioral Science Major. In 1999, he endowed this scholarship with a $10,000 gift so that the department will be able to continue this scholarship program in perpetuity.

Last spring, Lowell endowed the President's Council Scholarship for the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences with a gift of $10,000. This gift was eligible for a 'double match', which increased its value to $30,000, and guaranteed that this scholarship will be presented in perpetuity. He has also made numerous in-kind gifts to the college.

Lowell has also helped to bring Cal Poly Pomona faculty and administrators together with political leaders. He accompanied Dr. Bob Suzuki and Dr. Esteban Soriano to Sacramento to meet with Attorney General Bill Lockyear on Legislative Day, and co-sponsored a reception in Lockyear's honor. This event provided a venue for Cal Poly Pomona faculty and administrators to interact with influential local, regional and State leaders. Lowell has also been very willing to assist the Office of Development in CLASS in making contact with prominent Pomona citizens who are potential supporters of College programs.

We are very appreciative of Lowell, and grateful for all of the help he has provided to our students. He is the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences' top alumni donor.

CLASS Alumni Donor Profile: John Mortberg

John Mortberg was one of the first two graduates in the Public Administration program offered by Cal Poly Pomona's Political Science Department, from which he graduated in 1970. Although he had not decided upon his career path when he started at Cal Poly Pomona, two distinguished faculty members influenced John while he was still "bumping around and figuring out what to do in life."

The first was the late Professor George Hart, who gave John direction by suggesting that he possessed the qualities that would lead to success as a Public Administrator. John's other mentor was Dr. Gerald Rigby, who had been the former Dean of Public Administration at the University of Southern California. A Constitutional Law class taught by Dr. Rigby

revealed John's ability and potential. Dr. Rigby wrote a glowing letter of recommendation that assured John's admission to the Masters program at the University of Southern California. John describes these Cal Poly Pomona professors as "quality teachers who cared."

John used the practical training he received at Cal Poly Pomona when he worked for the City of Carson, where, as Purchasing Manager, he supervised a staff of 15 people. He retired after 28 years of service to the City of Carson.

A dedicated member of the CLASS Alumni Council, John drives 60 miles to attend meetings with other Council members. He is committed to ensuring that students have the same opportunities that he did, and has been very supportive of the CLASS Alumni Chapter Endowed Scholarship, in his own name and in memory of his parents. John has also shared his insights as an experienced professional with CLASS students as a visiting Alumni Professor for a Day.

John's personal interests include standardbred horses, woodworking, coin collecting and reading.

John Mortberg has been a loyal and committed donor to CLASS since 1985. We are grateful for all of John's help, and appreciate his generous involvement in our programs.