Summer Search: Honoring Bob Friend at 35th Anniversary Celebration

On February 26, 2025, Summer Search held its 35th Anniversary Celebration and Dinner, during which past Koret board member Bob Friend was honored posthumously for his dedication to the organization and to underserved youth throughout his life. Summer Search, with its commitment to increasing the number of low-income students who successfully enter and complete college, exemplifies Bob’s belief in mentorship, empowerment, and supporting our community.  At the event, Summer Search founder Linda Mornell gave a moving speech about Bob’s impact on Summer Search, and three Summer Search alumni spoke about how Bob’s interest in their success altered the trajectory of their lives. 

Bob Friend was a director of the Koret Foundation from 2003 to 2023, always serving with warmth and sincerity as a board member and colleague.  Koret CEO Jeff Farber says, “Bob always had a way of connecting with and having a positive effect on many people’s lives– young, old, and in between. His words of kindness and encouragement had a significant impact on where I am today and how I show up for my community, and I know it was that way for many others.”

Summer Search is a prominent Bay Area nonprofit founded in 1990 as a way to help youth access enriching summer programming free of charge. Since then, its mission has expanded immensely to include year-round support in high school and college, providing advising, mentorship, and experiential learning for low-income students. Over the years, they have supported nearly 10,000 young people across the country to achieve their goals of pursuing higher education and meaningful careers. The Koret Foundation is proud to have supported Summer Search since 1991.