Christopher (Chris) Brian Ponce, former vice president for advancement at Pomona College and a dedicated leader in higher education, died July 13 in Redding, Calif. He was 69.
Ponce joined Pomona in 2003, where he led a thoughtful expansion of the College’s advancement operations. His leadership was instrumental in the planning and execution of Pomona’s most ambitious fundraising effort — “Campaign Pomona: Daring Minds.” The five-year campaign ultimately raised a record $316 million for the College when it concluded in 2015, far exceeding its $250-million goal. The funds helped support a range of priorities, including scholarships, internships, student research, the Draper Center for Community Partnerships and the construction of Studio Art Hall.
Described by former colleagues as conscientious, kind and caring, Ponce was known for his commitment to education and for mentoring staff. In The Student Life article covering Ponce’s 2012 departure from the College, then-Pomona President David Oxtoby said, “Chris Ponce has done an outstanding job in this role over the past nine years, building out Pomona’s Advancement division and successfully overseeing the campaign.”
Ponce grew up in California’s San Gabriel Valley and graduated from Stanford University. He began his career in development at his alma mater, directing the Stanford Fund and Individual Giving. After Pomona, he served as vice president for advancement at Cottage Health System in Santa Barbara and associate vice president for development at Whitman College before retiring.
Ponce is survived by his wife, Lisa Ann McPherson Ponce, of Redding, Calif.; daughter Avery Mari Ponce of Brooklyn, N.Y.; sister Elena Micaela Ponce of Querétaro, Mexico; and nephew Andrés Sjoerd-Miguel Ponce of San José, Calif.