Giving | �鶹��ýӳ��

�鶹��ýӳ��’s Momentum Campaign Closes at $103 Million, Surpassing Its Goal One Year Early

yigarcia — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:59:39 +0000

�鶹��ýӳ�� has concluded The Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact with more than $103 million raised, surpassing its $100 million goal a year ahead of schedule. The campaign closed August 31, 2026, bringing together alumni, friends, trustees, faculty, staff, students and families to invest in the University’s future.

“Together, our community didn’t just meet an ambitious goal—we shattered expectations, raising an extraordinary $103 million to transform the lives of our students,” said Thomas A. Kline, EdD, vice president of University Advancement and External Relations.

The campaign’s reach reflects the breadth of that support: 25,000 donors made 74,000 gifts, creating more than 250 new funds. More than $54 million was raised for scholarships, $21 million for academic priorities, and $9 million for life-changing student experiences. The balance of funds supported capital projects, �鶹��ýӳ��’s diverse community, and the �鶹��ýӳ�� Fund. Additionally, more than $20 million was raised in new pledges through its planned giving program.

“The sheer scale of our community’s generosity is remarkable,” Kline said. “But beyond the numbers, the Momentum Campaign has ignited a deep sense of pride, reconnected us with our alumni, and instilled a lasting philanthropic spirit across the entire �鶹��ýӳ�� family.”

�鶹��ýӳ�� launched the public phase of the comprehensive campaign in the Fall of 2024. Two years later—and one year ahead of schedule—�鶹��ýӳ�� celebrated the campaign’s successful conclusion at its 26th Annual Gala—A Celebration of Firsts, which also welcomed Michael Balboni ’81, JD, as �鶹��ýӳ��’s first alumnus president and raised $1.6 million to support scholarships for first-generation students.

“�鶹��ýӳ�� students will hustle, figure it out and lead,” said President Michael Balboni ’81, JD. “To everyone who contributed so generously to The Momentum Campaign, I cannot thank you enough. The impact you have made is life-changing.”

Kline credited the campaign’s success to contributors across the �鶹��ýӳ�� community, thanking donors, volunteers, trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, students, parents and friends. He also recognized the Campaign and Campus Steering Committees and the Advancement team for their work and enduring commitment.

With the campaign complete, its impact will continue through scholarships, academic programs and opportunities made possible by the community’s generosity.

“Momentum, by definition, is meant to continue,” Kline said. “The opportunities we made possible will keep opening doors for years to come.”

Watch and explore stories of generosity that impact �鶹��ýӳ��’s students.

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�鶹��ýӳ�� Gala Raises $1.6 Million to Support Student Success; Closes $100M Campaign

yigarcia — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:50:43 +0000

�鶹��ýӳ��’s 26th Annual Gala, A Celebration of Firsts, raised $1.6 million to support �鶹��ýӳ��’s students and their success. Held September 19 at the Garden City Hotel with more than 250 attendees, the evening celebrated first-generation students, welcomed Michael Balboni ’81, JD, as �鶹��ýӳ��’s first alumnus president, and recognized the supporters creating new opportunities across the University.

The evening kicked off in spectacular fashion, celebrating the record-breaking success of the University’s Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact. The monumental initiative didn’t just meet its ambitious $100 million goal—it shattered it a full year early, raising $103 million by its August 31 close. To capture the magnitude of this milestone, a underscored the historic effort behind the campaign and the transformative opportunities this support will unlock for our students.

“Tonight perfectly paired the success of the Momentum Campaign’s close with the immediate impact of the gala,” said Thomas A. Kline, EdD, vice president of advancement and external relations. “We are deeply grateful to every donor, friend, sponsor, and guest who helped make this evening—and its $1.6 million result—possible, ensuring that �鶹��ýӳ�� students will always have the support they need to pursue their goals.”

One of the evening’s notable moments came when double alumna Judith Ammerman, MA ’64, MS ’73, committed $500,000 to establish the Judith Ammerman First Generation Endowed Scholarship Fund. A dedicated educator who taught for nearly 30 years at , Ammerman also previously made a $1.5 million planned gift to �鶹��ýӳ��. Offering advice to the first-generation students that her new scholarship will support, Ammerman said, “Being the first in the family has some responsibilities! Get yourself off to a good start, crack open those books, write those papers and do a great job! Remember you have an obligation to set a good example for the rest of your family.”

Also contributing to the evening’s success and �鶹��ýӳ��’s future, Leonard C. Achan ’99, MA, RN, ANP, the chair of �鶹��ýӳ��’s Board of Trustees, committed $250,000 to develop and support specialized programming for first-generation students.

“As a first-generation college student myself, I know how much it matters to have people who see your potential and invest in it,” said Achan, the son of Guyanese immigrants of Indian descent, who commuted from Queens and worked as a Manhattan doorman at night while studying nursing at �鶹��ýӳ��. “The stories we heard at the gala are a reminder that support for one student can reach far beyond one degree, opening endless possibilities for families and communities for generations to come.”

Junior nursing student and Honors College member Liana Esau shared what it means to be the first in her family to attend college. A recipient of the Thomas F. and Christine B. Motamed ’71 Scholarship, Esau spoke about carrying her family’s hopes forward and the role donor support has played in her �鶹��ýӳ�� experience. Esau said, “Standing here in a room filled with people who so strongly believe in the power of education makes me think about the wise words of my 93-year-old great-grandmother who said, ‘They can take everything away from you—but not your education.’ Knowing she lived to see me accomplish something she never had the opportunity to is something I hold dearly in my heart.”

Stepping into his new role at the helm of �鶹��ýӳ��, President Michael Balboni ’81, JD, spoke of his bold vision to redefine higher education as a deeply human partnership built on the University’s greatest foundation: its people.

“I’m grateful for what we have accomplished and excited about what our community will do together next,” said Balboni. “In a world debating the future of higher education, we will never lose our human core. �鶹��ýӳ�� students hustle, they lead, and they inspire—and when we support them like family, there is no limit to the impact they will make.”

�鶹��ýӳ�� students opened the gala with a dance performance choreographed by Assistant Professor Daniel Padierna. Later in the program, directed by Assistant Professor Robert Jordan, students, faculty and staff performed “For Good” from the musical Wicked and “Seasons of Love” from RENT, written by late �鶹��ýӳ�� alumnus Jonathan Larson ’82. Guests also viewed moving testimonials from �鶹��ýӳ��’s .

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Alumna Judith Ammerman Commits $500,000 for �鶹��ýӳ��’s First-Generation Students

yigarcia — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 20:13:51 +0000

At �鶹��ýӳ��’s 26th Annual Gala in September 2026, Judith Ammerman, MA ’64, MS ’73, committed $500,000 to establish an endowed scholarship for first-generation students. She joined President Michael Balboni ’81, JD, and Thomas A. Kline, vice president of University Advancement and External Relations, to sign her gift agreement prior to the event.

Ammerman’s commitment provided a fitting start to the evening’s theme: A Celebration of Firsts. The Judith Ammerman First-Generation Endowed Scholarship Fund will support eligible undergraduate students who are the first in their families to attend college.

“There was no more perfect way to begin our ‘Celebration of Firsts’ than by honoring Judy’s extraordinary generosity,” Kline said. “Her profound commitment to our first-generation students perfectly captures the spirit of �鶹��ýӳ��, ensuring that the doors of opportunity remain wide open for those ready to pave a new path for their families.”

Ammerman is a lifelong champion of learning, having taught mathematics at for nearly 30 years after several years teaching in Roosevelt, New York. Now retired and living in Florida, she made a special trip to Long Island for the celebration.

Her gift reflects a lifelong belief that education can change a student’s future and create opportunities for generations to follow. In advice to the students her scholarship will support, Ammerman said, “Being the first in the family has some responsibilities! Get yourself off to a good start, crack open those books, write those papers and do a great job! Remember you have an obligation to set a good example for the rest of your family.”

A message from Judith Ammerman, MA ’64, MS ’73, displayed at �鶹��ýӳ��’s 2026 Gala encourages first-generation students to embrace their education and the example they set for their families.

The new scholarship builds on her earlier $1.5 million planned gift to �鶹��ýӳ��. Announced in 2023, that separate estate commitment is intended to establish three endowed funds supporting undergraduate scholarships, faculty development, and University facilities and projects.

“Judy’s steadfast belief in our students is truly inspiring,” said Thomas A. Kline, vice president of University Advancement and External Relations. “Between her generous planned gift and this new endowed scholarship, her philanthropic impact will create a powerful ripple effect—removing barriers for our first-generation students and empowering them to achieve their boldest goals.”

Nearly half of �鶹��ýӳ��’s students are first-generation, including junior nursing student Liana Esau, who spoke at the gala about the pride and responsibility that distinction brings.

“As a first-generation student, I know I carry the hopes and dreams of those who came before me, and create new possibilities for those who will come after me,” Esau said.

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Because of a Scholarship: Gifts That Transform Lives

ckatz — Thu, 01 Oct 2026 18:02:49 +0000

In a single moment, relief replaces doubt. Scholarships deliver an unforgettable message from the alumni who walked these halls before them:

We see your struggle, we believe in your potential and we are here to help you stay.

Bennis Sujak ’21, MA ’24

Healing the Healers: Support for Mental Health Professionals

For Bennis Sujak ’21, MA ’24, the path to becoming a mental health counselor was intensely personal. “The topic of mental health is highly stigmatized in my culture, and I grew up sheltered from discussions surrounding it,” shared Sujak, the son of Muslim immigrants from Yugoslavia. “Struggling with my traumas and mental health, I always felt an intense desire to better understand myself and human nature as a whole.”

Lindsey Kupferman, MA ’02, PhD ’06

The financial burden of graduate school loomed large, threatening to derail his calling—until the Kupferman Family Endowed Scholarship stepped in. The funding didn’t just alleviate Sujak’s stress; it validated his entire journey. The scholarship’s founder, Lindsey Kupferman, MA ’02, PhD ’06, knows that lifting this burden “makes life a little bit easier for one student.” For her, funding this scholarship is a meaningful way to continue her family’s legacy of helping at-risk youth by supporting the very students who will one day heal them.

A Way for Dancers to Move Forward

Committing to a life in the arts is a beautiful but terrifying leap of faith. For dance major Sophia Nibbe ’25, the financial strain of pursuing her passion was daunting. Then, she received the Tina Bolton Endowed Scholarship. The support, she said with immense gratitude, was “beyond anything I could have ever hoped for,” allowing her to fully dedicate herself to her art without the crushing anxiety of how to pay for it.

The scholarship’s founders, Jeffrey Bolton ’61 and his wife, Tina, a former Broadway dancer, created the fund because they understand that struggle firsthand. “I know how difficult it is to commit yourself to a career in dance and support yourself,” Tina shared, offering Nibbe the exact encouragement she needed to keep moving forward.

Sophia Nibbe ’25, center, with arm raised

A Lifeline for the Next Generation of Teachers

Senior Itzel Guzman Juarez knows the exact feeling of that financial weight lifting. Pursuing her degree in the Ruth S. Ammon College of Education and Health Sciences came with overwhelming pressure, but a scholarship changed everything. “This scholarship made me realize that even when you think your efforts are invisible, there is always someone noticing your hard work,” she said, describing the life-changing relief she felt.

Grateful scholarship recipient Miguel Velasquez ‘23, MA ‘24, now a high school teacher, with donor Diane Abbey ‘59

The person noticing her was Diane Abbey ’59. Abbey intimately understands the terror of an interrupted education; she faced sudden financial hardship as a junior and was saved only when �鶹��ýӳ��’s late dean of women, Ruth S. Harley, quietly arranged financial aid. “I owe her a career, a life,” Abbey reflected. Today, Abbey pays that exact miracle forward to students like Guzman Juarez and Miguel Velasquez ’23, MA ’24. Thanks to her generosity, Velasquez was able to stay at �鶹��ýӳ�� and is now an educator himself. “The impact I make on students is shaped by her spirit of giving,” Velasquez noted, proudly sharing that he has since started an organization providing school supplies to children in Central America.

Scholarships do more than help students earn a degree. They empower future leaders, inspire lifelong generosity and create a legacy of opportunity that transforms lives for generations to come.

For Athletes, a Way to Reach the Ultimate Goal: Graduation

Kris Amplo ’00

Balancing the rigorous demands of the classroom and the field is a monumental task for student-athletes—one made incredibly stressful without financial backing. Recognizing this, Kris Amplo ’00, a former �鶹��ýӳ�� lacrosse standout, created the Amplo Family Foundation Men’s Lacrosse Endowed Excellence Fund and the Joseph LaRosa Scholarship. His gifts give current players the ultimate assist: the chance to reach graduation without crippling debt, ensuring they can absorb the life-changing lessons of teamwork and resilience he once learned from his own coaches and professors.

Scholarships helped first-generation student Kyle Lewis ’26, �鶹��ýӳ��’s 2026 Male Athlete of the Year.

The Power of Paying It Forward

Vincent Tizzio ’89

At its core, receiving a scholarship is about so much more than tuition dollars. It is a profound declaration that a student matters. Vincent Tizzio ’89, who founded the Salvatore Primeggia Endowed Scholarship, captures this perfectly: A scholarship “tells a student that someone sees their potential and believes in them before they’ve fully found their footing,” he explained. For the students standing on the edge of having to leave �鶹��ýӳ��, a donor’s generosity is everything. It replaces their agonizing “what-ifs” with profound gratitude, transforming their fear into a lifetime of confidence, achievement, and a deep, enduring desire to one day do the same for someone else.

Sal Primeggia, PhD ’64, shaped thousands of lives in �鶹��ýӳ�� classrooms. Today, that legacy lives on through the endowed scholarship in his name.

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Leading the Arts: Landmark Donation Secures �鶹��ýӳ��’s Performing Arts Spotlight

tshah — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 18:07:32 +0000

When arts patron and friend of the University Lee Steinberg made her generous bequest to �鶹��ýӳ��, it not only strengthened the future of the �鶹��ýӳ�� Performing Arts Center—it shone a spotlight on the vibrancy of the arts at �鶹��ýӳ��.

“Lee Steinberg’s legacy gift reflects a deep belief in the transformative power of the arts,” said Thomas Kline, EdD, vice president of University advancement and external relations. “Her generosity strengthens not only our facilities, but the student experiences and creative opportunities that define �鶹��ýӳ��’s performing arts community.”

The $1.77 million gift supports immediate physical improvements at the Center as well as permanent, flexible funding for its ongoing capital, programming and operational needs. In recognition of her extraordinary generosity, the University has named the center’s Recital Hall in her honor—the Lee Steinberg Recital Hall.

The hall is one of the five state-of-the-art venues at the Center, along with the 500-seat Westermann Stage at the Concert Hall, the Olmsted Theatre, the Dance Theatre and the Black Box Theatre.

�鶹��ýӳ��’s Rich History in Theatre

�鶹��ýӳ��’s theatre, dance and music programs have produced generations of artists, none more illustrious than Jonathan Larson ’82, the late Pulitzer Prize-winning writer and composer of the iconic Broadway musical Rent. Larson majored in acting at �鶹��ýӳ�� and began composing music for small student productions and cabarets, often writing about topics like AIDS, addiction and homophobia, which would later inform his renowned works.

“He came in like a spark plug,” said Nicholas Petron, MA ’70, retired professor and chair of the Department of Theatre. “My first impression was: ’Who is this guy?’ He was a firecracker.”

Larson’s legacy lives on at �鶹��ýӳ�� through the $2 million Jonathan Larson Scholarship endowment, established by a bequest from the Larson Family Trust and a matching grant from the University. The endowment supports four annual scholarships for theatre students.

In 2015, �鶹��ýӳ�� also launched the annual Larson Legacy Concert Series at Center to celebrate the next generation of musical theatre creators. It has featured performances by recipients of Jonathan Larson Grants from the American Theatre Wing and artists who’ve gone on to Broadway stardom, like Michael R. Jackson, who won a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award in 2021 for A Strange Loop.

�鶹��ýӳ�� also hosts The Poole Family Broadway Series, generously sponsored by Mary Jane ’62 and Thomas Poole, which brings Broadway legends, cabaret stars and musical theater revues to the center.

Empowering the Next Generation of Excellence in Music and Dance

Theater isn’t alone at �鶹��ýӳ�� as a pacesetter for university arts departments. The University’s dance department became one of the first established at a college in the United States when it was founded in 1938 by one of the leading lights of modern dance, Ruth St. Denis. Since then, it has been home to many prominent faculty members, including , Paul Taylor, Norman Walker, Carmen de Lavallade, Jack Cole and Hanya Holm.

In the music department, Pulitzer Prize-winning and Grammy-nominated composer , has been a professor since the early 2000s, nurturing new generations of musical talent while continuing to produce critically acclaimed oratorios. He was honored as one of only five University Professors at �鶹��ýӳ�� in 2004.

“One of the great things about �鶹��ýӳ�� is that it supports its faculty in its research—in my case, its creativity,” Dr. Moravec said. “I’m eternally indebted to �鶹��ýӳ�� for facilitating all of the work that I’ve done in the 25 years that I’ve been here at �鶹��ýӳ��.”

A Donor’s Lifelong Commitment to the Arts in New York

Lee Steinberg’s gift, which was received from her estate in July 2025, reflected her wish to support arts programming and performance centers on Long Island as well as her lifetime commitment to cultural institutions throughout the greater New York region. Steinberg, who briefly served on �鶹��ýӳ��’s Performing Arts Council, died in 2021 at the age of 106 and was posthumously added as a member of �鶹��ýӳ��’s Million Dollar Roundtable, which recognizes our most generous donors, whose cumulative giving exceeds $1 million.

In accordance with Steinberg’s intent, the University has established two funds to support the �鶹��ýӳ�� Performing Arts Center—the Lee Steinberg Performing Arts Center Capital Fund, for immediate physical improvements, and the Lee Steinberg Performing Arts Center Excellence Endowed Fund, to provide permanent, flexible support for the center’s ongoing capital, programming and operational needs. This generous gift reinforces �鶹��ýӳ��’s reputation as a preeminent leader in arts education and performance in our region.

Enhancements to Center will elevate the experience of student performers, faculty directors, guest artists and audience members. Several capital improvements have already been funded through an initial $500,000 allocation, including:

A comprehensive refresh of the Olmsted Theatre, featuring new lighting, audience seating, carpeting, acoustic panels and painting, as well as the installation of a new digital sound mixing console
Brighter lighting in the Center’s second-floor dance studios
New house lights and work lights in the Concert Hall

Beginning in 2027, annual distributions from the endowment will ensure that the spotlight never fades—empowering generations of future artists to push creative boundaries and inspire the world from �鶹��ýӳ��’s stages.

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Trustee Leonard C. Achan ’99, and Family Establish the Leonard Achan Family Interfaith Center as a “Beacon of Light for the �鶹��ýӳ�� Community”

tshah — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:14:36 +0000

Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam. For trustee and alumnus Leonard C. Achan ’99, who grew up in New York City surrounded by this rich tapestry of faiths, the creation of the Achan Family Interfaith Center “is all about family.”

It is a reflection of his own multicultural, multidenominational family’s passion for philanthropy and community—and their deep, foundational belief that there is but one family of man.

A Multicultural Family Legacy

“I could tell you from being in healthcare my entire life, that we’re all the same. The more we could bring people together from different religions, cultures, and disciplines to show we are all exactly the same, the better the world will be,” Achan insisted. “It’s meaningful, peaceful, and it can heal a lot.”

Achan is proud that his wife, pediatric speech pathologist Kimberly Mayo-Achan and children Lenny III and Katherine, agreed to establish the Center. In fact, they collectively signed their generous donation letter.

He hopes that by representing his family’s own diverse cultural legacy, the Achan Family Interfaith Center “speaks to the generations before me and hopefully to the generations after me.”

A First Generation Student from the Inner City

For Achan, a son of immigrant parents and a self-described inner city youth from Queens, college was an aspiration, rather than an expectation. “Opening that acceptance letter from �鶹��ýӳ�� was like a spark of light,” he recalled. “I never thought I might go to college—and �鶹��ýӳ�� became a beacon for me.”

Enrolling in the College of Nursing and Public Health gave Achan his first glimpse of how he might achieve his dream of helping people in need.

After graduating, he continued his education by earning a master’s degree in advanced practice nursing and a business degree, as well.. His leadership in health care has been recognized with awards from Crain’s New York Business and Healthcare Leaders of New York.

Today, the �鶹��ýӳ�� board of trustees’ secretary is president and CEO of , a nonprofit organ procurement organization, as well as the founding chairman of a digital health organization. He is also a generous benefactor to his alma mater.

An Interfaith Center for All

With their significant gift, Achan Family Interfaith Center shines as a beacon of light for the entire �鶹��ýӳ�� community.

“This donation is going to allow students to have deeper, more meaningful experiences with one another,” promised Michael Hoffner, coordinator of �鶹��ýӳ��’s Mindfulness Center and Leonard Achan Family Interfaith Center.

According to Hoffner, the Center will enable students to attend retreats, and bring programs to campus that will connect them with their spiritual, faith and religious traditions—while fostering the sense of belonging and purpose that is at the heart of the college experience.

Gifts Honoring His Father, and His Grandmother, a Holocaust Survivor of Auschwitz

Supporting the campus Interfaith Center is not the Achan family’s first major gift. In 2017, the memory of Achan’s father, Leonard Achan, Sr., was honored by a .

In 2024, a second gift from Achan and his wife endowed a scholarship for future mental health counselors studying at the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology. The scholarship memorialize Kimberly Mayo-Achan’s grandmother, Zosia ‘GiGi’ Levine, a Jewish survivor of Auschwitz during the Holocaust, who went on to live a long, fulfilling life as a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

When the family considered how they might address a deepening and challenging mental health crisis and shortage of mental health professionals, they were inspired by Gigi. Achan has described how “My family exists because she survived. Helping others create a legacy was the thought behind how we could be supportive.

“Helping even one person makes a difference.”

Fulfilling Dreams for Future �鶹��ýӳ�� Students

According to Achan his role as an �鶹��ýӳ�� trustee gives him a unique perspective. By remembering his own experience and dreams as a first-generation student, he recognizes how seemingly impossible student dreams will be fulfilled because of the foundation �鶹��ýӳ�� provides. And he has committed himself to doing everything he can to help them realize their dreams.

“I feel blessed to give back to �鶹��ýӳ�� and blessed to have a career in helping people,” he admitted. “�鶹��ýӳ�� gave me a platform and opportunity that is the foundation of everything I do today in my community and with my family.”

He uses this platform as a trustee, to champion the goals of �鶹��ýӳ��’s strategic plan. By establishing the Achan Family Interfaith Center, he has directly supported the university’s commitment to its inclusive community.

This is, for him—and his family—the right time to create the Center. “When you look at our faculty and students and alumni, when you look at the contributions we are making to society and the world, it’s a moment to scale impact.”

Achan believes that as a place for the �鶹��ýӳ�� community to embrace differences, discover commonality, and celebrate and explore individual faith and purpose, the Leonard Achan Family Interfaith Center is doing just that.

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A Record $2.28 Million Giving Day Reflects the Strong Support for �鶹��ýӳ�� and Its Students

yigarcia — Tue, 05 May 2026 18:18:44 +0000

It was just four years ago, in the spring of 2022, when �鶹��ýӳ��’s annual Giving Day first reached $500,000 in donations. Two years later, it set a new record of $684,000. Another big jump last year raised the bar to $886,000.

But nothing compares to the totals set this spring, when donations rocketed to $2.28 million, including $1.07 million in outright commitments and $1.2 million in planned gifts. The generosity was spread across the University, as every academic unit and key campaign reached or exceeded its individual fundraising target.

“With 1,580 donors and 1,626 gifts, our community demonstrated the true impact of investing in the University we believe in,” said Thomas Kline, EdD, �鶹��ýӳ��’s vice president of University advancement and external relations. “This remarkable generosity is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of our Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact. We are filled with deep gratitude and hope for the future of �鶹��ýӳ��.”

1,896 Minutes—and Reasons—to Give

As it has since �鶹��ýӳ��’s 125th anniversary, Giving Day has lasted a few more than 24 hours, extending to 1,896 minutes to reflect �鶹��ýӳ��’s founding in 1896.

While the timing has changed, Giving Day at �鶹��ýӳ�� has continued to benefit programs and causes across the University. Donations are made to each of the University’s colleges and schools, athletic programs, the Bridges to �鶹��ýӳ�� program for students on the autism spectrum, and causes including the �鶹��ýӳ�� Fund, Performing Arts Center, Innovation Center, SPARK Center for undergraduate research, �鶹��ýӳ�� NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program, and Panthers Pay It Forward Campaign.

A new challenge was added to Giving Day this year as well—planned giving. Thirteen people, including four anonymous donors, met the challenge and committed a total of $1.2 million dollars. The University is proud to recognize all 13 donors as members of the �鶹��ýӳ�� Forever Gold Society.

There are many other highlights of this year’s giving.

The �鶹��ýӳ�� Honors College received a $45,000 gift from alumni Carole ’64 and Neal ’63 Stuber, and the Robert B. Willumstad School of Business led the University’s eight schools and colleges, raising $67,335, with generous matching gifts from its Dean’s Advisory Board, Trustee Kevin Mahony ’83 and an anonymous donor. , always supported by Panther fans, raised $268,504, including $52,775 for men’s soccer and $45,630 for the men’s golf program.

Every current member of the �鶹��ýӳ�� Board of Trustees participated, reflecting their ongoing commitment to �鶹��ýӳ��’s mission. Close to 1,600 donors in all showed their support for �鶹��ýӳ��, including alumni, students and their families, faculty, administrators, staff, and friends of the University. The funds raised will continue advancing �鶹��ýӳ��’s 130-year-old mission to transform student lives through exceptional hands-on learning, extraordinary student experiences, accessible scholarships and academic resources.

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�鶹��ýӳ�� Raises $2.25 Million During Historic Giving Day 2026

cscala — Mon, 27 Apr 2026 16:02:21 +0000

Incorporating $1.05 million in outright commitments and $1.2 million in planned gifts, �鶹��ýӳ��’s Giving Day experienced broad participation across the entire institution, with every academic unit and key campaign reaching or exceeding its individual fundraising targets.

“With 1,578 donors and 1,613 gifts, our community demonstrated the true impact of investing in the University we believe in,” said Thomas Kline, EdD, �鶹��ýӳ��’s vice president of University advancement and external relations. “This remarkable generosity is a powerful testament to the transformative potential of our Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact. We are filled with deep gratitude and hope for the future of �鶹��ýӳ��.”

Rooted in �鶹��ýӳ��’s founding year, “1,896 Minutes to Give” is a call to action for the University’s alumni, students, faculty, administrators and friends to support the meaningful causes that strengthen every aspect of the institution. Every current member of the �鶹��ýӳ�� Board of Trustees participated, reflecting their ongoing commitment to �鶹��ýӳ��’s mission. And the University’s first-ever planned giving challenge inspired 13 people, including four anonymous donors, to make new or increased commitments totaling $1.2 million.

The funds raised will continue advancing �鶹��ýӳ��’s 130-year-old mission to transform student lives through exceptional hands-on learning, extraordinary student experiences, accessible scholarships and academic resources, and . Additionally, funding sustains meaningful community programs like Bridges to �鶹��ýӳ�� and the �鶹��ýӳ�� NY Statewide Breast Cancer Hotline & Support Program.

Learn more about .

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When Life Doesn’t Pause for School: Caring for Caregivers Scholarships Help Students Complete Degrees

cscala — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:34:14 +0000

Recognizing these challenges, �鶹��ýӳ�� is taking aim at solutions that can help students earn their degrees while caring for children or elder family members. Whether that means starting school for the first time or returning to complete their education, the Caring for Caregivers scholarship aims to offer nontraditional students support while they earn their degree.

The scholarship, awarded by the �鶹��ýӳ�� College of Professional and Continuing Studies (CPCS), strives to provide support for adult students of any kind. Sandra Castro, PhD, senior associate dean of CPCS, highlights the variety of students the scholarship helps. “We have a whole generation of students that are caring for siblings, parents, relatives. �鶹��ýӳ�� says ‘We see you’ and we want to support you in making your academic career,” she said.

The Caring for Caregivers scholarship has recently expanded from students in CPCS to any student at �鶹��ýӳ��. “I was floored by how many applications we received,” said Dr. Castro. The growing number of applicants highlights the importance of providing assistance to students who are parents or caregivers at �鶹��ýӳ��, and how impactful more family-friendly policies could be on campus.

Meet the Awardees

Haley Friday, one of this year’s recipients of the scholarship, returned to school to study after taking a semester off to care for her grandmother. Speaking about CPCS and the asynchronous learning it offers, she said, “It gave me the flexibility to continue school while still managing my everyday life and caregiving responsibilities, which meant a lot to me.” For students like Friday, the scholarship not only recognizes her, but provides some much-needed relief from juggling school and caregiving. “It has also helped me cover out-of-pocket school expenses, which gave me some financial breathing room and even allowed me to do something nice for myself for the first time in a long time. That means more than people probably realize.”

Fellow scholarship winner Jquan Collins said of his role as a caregiver, “I take pride in being dependable. To me, being a caregiver is not just about big moments, but also about the everyday effort, patience and responsibility that comes with putting others first.” Collins, who is studying business administration, said the motivation to attend �鶹��ýӳ�� came from a desire to open doors both professionally and personally. Becoming a father strengthened that motivation. “I want to set an example of hard work, discipline and perseverance for my children,” he said.

For Rachel Freeman, who works full time while caring for her three-year-old, going back to school was important to her in order to challenge her and help her in her career path. She said, “Going back to school felt like the right way to push myself and get out of my comfort zone.” For Freeman, who is studying , being chosen was incredible news. Even simply hearing about the scholarship made an impact on her. “I was relieved that at the university level there was some formal recognition that working, going to school and being a parent was hard!” she said. “It sounds obvious—of course it’s difficult—but I was encouraged by this simple statement of support, and decided to apply for the scholarship.”

The Impact of the Scholarship

Across the board, the scholarship winners shared a similar sentiment: The recognition of being chosen, and the acknowledgement of how difficult balancing school and taking care of loved ones can be, made a serious impact. “This scholarship means a lot to me because it recognizes not only my academic efforts, but also the responsibilities I carry outside of school,” said Collins. “It serves as motivation to keep pushing forward, even when balancing work, school and family life feels overwhelming.”

This scholarship is made possible by the Women’s Giving Circle, a group whose collective philanthropy celebrates, promotes and supports �鶹��ýӳ�� and its students, faculty and programs. “They’ve supported us the last four years in the different iterations of the scholarship,” said Dr. Castro. The Women’s Giving Circle, funded by member donations, is run by a team of volunteers who work to make it possible to provide financial aid to students. It’s through their continued support that students like Friday can keep taking care of the ones they love.

“This scholarship not only supports my education, but it also supports the work and care I give to the people who depend on me every day!”

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From Scholarship Student to Alumni Donor: Mark W. Jordan ’63

ahassan — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:24:52 +0000

When Mark W. Jordan ’63 arrived at �鶹��ýӳ��, he quickly distinguished himself as a scholar. After his first year, he earned a full scholarship and continued to receive essential financial support for the remainder of his time at �鶹��ýӳ��. That support allowed Jordan to focus fully on his studies and gain an education that would shape his future. Today, he is committed to making that opportunity possible for a new generation of �鶹��ýӳ�� students.

As a liberal arts student, Jordan developed the analytical discipline and critical thinking skills that prepared him for law school and a successful legal career that spanned decades, including 35 years in the healthcare industry. He retired in 2009 and has always credited �鶹��ýӳ�� with providing the foundation for his success.

Mark W. Jordan ’63 shares a quiet moment with his granddaughter, reflecting the family values and future generations his philanthropy at �鶹��ýӳ�� helps support.

Establishing a Scholarship for Honors College Students

In 2013, Jordan established the Mark W. Jordan Scholarship to support Honors College students with strong academic promise and demonstrated financial need. His goal was simple: to help students experience the same transformative opportunity he received—an �鶹��ýӳ�� education supported by scholarship assistance that allows them to focus on learning, growth, and possibility.

Reflecting on his commitment, Jordan said, “The education I received at �鶹��ýӳ�� shaped my career, my path, and my leadership. Giving back each year is one way I can help ensure students today have that same foundation for opportunity.”

Growing Impact Through the Momentum 2 Endowment Match Campaign

Jordan deepened that commitment in 2022 when he became the first donor to participate in �鶹��ýӳ��’s Momentum 2 Endowment Match Campaign. With a $25,000 pledge to grow his scholarship, his gift was matched by the University—immediately doubling its long-term impact for students. His early participation helped set the stage for more to follow.

As part of the University’s Momentum Campaign: Extraordinary Impact, the endowment match initiative has helped expand scholarship support and strengthen �鶹��ýӳ��’s long-term investment in student success. By the end of the campaign’s third year in 2025, it had generated $6.4 million, created 56 new endowed funds, and strengthened 38 existing ones.

Today, Jordan remains deeply engaged as a lifelong learner and educator, delivering lectures on subjects as varied as Shakespeare, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Sir Ernest Shackleton and the Mutiny on the Bounty at institutions including the University of California, Berkeley; Santa Clara University; the University of South Carolina; and California State University, East Bay, as well as the Walnut Creek Library Foundation, which he and his wife, Cindy, also support. They spend much of their free time traveling and have visited all seven continents.

Leadership Giving

Because his giving reflects the many ways philanthropy can take shape in support of �鶹��ýӳ��’s mission, Jordan is recognized in all four of �鶹��ýӳ��’s Leadership Recognition and Giving Societies (LEAD):

the Levermore Leadership Society, recognizing annual giving of $1,000 or more,
our Eighteen-Ninety-Six Roundtable Society, honoring lifetime giving totaling $100,000 or more,
�鶹��ýӳ��’s Forever Gold Society, thanking alumni and friends whose estate plans or planned gifts include the University,
and the Dedicated Panther Society, celebrating donors who give every year.

Across his endowed scholarship, annual giving, and planned gift, Jordan’s generosity will advance the priorities that shape our University’s future: scholarships, academic excellence, life-changing student experiences, a modern and beautiful campus, and a diverse and vibrant community. His story reflects the powerful cycle of philanthropy—students supported by �鶹��ýӳ�� who later return to create opportunity for those who follow.

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