The Conner Foundation was inspired by Edward Conner’s own experience during his college years. Edward was initially unable to attend a four year university because of the Depression. Instead he began school at Santa Ana Junior College, later transferring to the University of California: Berkeley. He graduated in 1933 with a degree in business administration. In the 1940s and 1950s Edward built a successful career as a contractor and developer in Contra Costa County, home to the town of Brentwood and Liberty High School.
Edward & Elizabeth early in their marriage.
Because community college played such an important role in Edward’s college education, he established an annual scholarship for five high school graduates in Contra Costa County who would be starting at community colleges. Following the success of these scholarships, the Edward & Elizabeth Conner Foundation was created in 1963. Since then, the Foundation has focused on selecting annual scholarship recipients from Liberty High School in Brentwood, based on Edward’s connection to the Brentwood community and his commitment to providing scholarships for under-resourced students.
In 1988 the Benjamin Silverman Conner Memorial Scholarship was established at Greene Central School in Greene, NY in honor of Edward and Elizabeth’s great-grandnephew, Benjamin.
Recently, the Foundation has also begun awarding scholarships to select students starting directly at four year schools in honor of Willian H. Conner, the second president of the Conner Foundation.
Working with the two schools, the Conner Foundation has made college an achievable dream for countless high school seniors.
Our History
The Conner Foundation was inspired by Edward Conner’s own experience during his college years. Edward was initially unable to attend a four year university because of the Depression. Instead he began school at Santa Ana Junior College, later transferring to the University of California: Berkeley. He graduated in 1933 with a degree in business administration. In the 1940s and 1950s Edward built a successful career as a contractor and developer in Contra Costa County, home to the town of Brentwood and Liberty High School.
Because community college played such an important role in Edward’s college education, he established an annual scholarship for five high school graduates in Contra Costa County who would be starting at community colleges. Following the success of these scholarships, the Edward & Elizabeth Conner Foundation was created in 1963. Since then, the Foundation has focused on selecting annual scholarship recipients from Liberty High School in Brentwood, based on Edward’s connection to the Brentwood community and his commitment to providing scholarships for under-resourced students.
In 1988 the Benjamin Silverman Conner Memorial Scholarship was established at Greene Central School in Greene, NY in honor of Edward and Elizabeth’s great-grandnephew, Benjamin.
Recently, the Foundation has also begun awarding scholarships to select students starting directly at four year schools in honor of Willian H. Conner, the second president of the Conner Foundation.
Working with the two schools, the Conner Foundation has made college an achievable dream for countless high school seniors.