Southwestern College launches first alumni Comedy Night

Southwestern College is launching its first-ever alumni-focused comedy night, an event designed to bring graduates, students, and the broader community together for an evening of entertainment and connection.

The Southwestern College Alumni Comedy Night will take place Saturday, July 11, at 6:30 p.m. The 21-and-over event will feature comedy performances, alumni engagement, and campus community pride.

The idea for the event grew out of conversations with alumni, according to Erica Johnson, director of the Southwestern College Foundation, and Irma Velasco, alumni association developer.

“The idea for Southwestern College’s first comedy night grew out of conversations with several alumni,” Johnson and Velasco said. “After speaking with her and later with Paulina (Paulina Porter-Tapia, an event hostess), the idea really started to take shape. What better way to launch this event than with an emcee and comedians who are all proud Southwestern College Jaguars?”

At the center of the lineup is headliner Lourdes Ayon, a Southwestern College alum, San Diego native, and former Puente Program participant. Ayon works as a lobbyist by day and performs as a comedian by night.

“Lourdes is a true Southwestern College success story,” Johnson and Velasco said. “While she was a student at Southwestern College, she participated in our Puente Program and now works as a lobbyist by day and performs as a comedian by night, making her an ideal choice to headline this inaugural event.”

Organizers said Ayon’s selection reflects the broader goal of alumni engagement: bringing graduates back to campus to celebrate their accomplishments and inspire current students.

“It feels wonderful,” Johnson and Velasco said. “One of the goals of alumni engagement at Southwestern College is to bring successful graduates back to their alma mater and celebrate their achievements while inspiring current students and fellow alumni.”

The evening will also feature comedians Eren Gonzalez and Andre Gonzales, with Porter-Tapia serving as event hostess. Organizers said the program is designed to highlight Jaguar pride while showcasing alumni talent.

“Attendees can expect an enjoyable evening filled with laughter and entertainment,” Johnson and Velasco said. “For alumni, it will be an opportunity to reconnect and reminisce about their time at Southwestern College. For community members, it’s a chance to become more connected to this special place.”