Supporters Like You

She has the heart of a champion athlete and a cancer survivor.

Blackburn’s long and arduous battle with cancer lasted nearly a year. After the initial shock of the diagnosis, she asked—as most people do— “why me?” The eventual answer was no surprise to anyone who knows Blackburn. “I was meant to do something with this.” Immediately, her thoughts turned to the San Diego State University community.

Blackburn is Director of Marketing and Communications, at SDSU, a double alumna (’94, ’01) and a long-time donor to SDSU. The university athletics recruited her, and she became a standout guard for the women’s basketball team in the 1990s. Her legendary positive attitude inspired SDSU to create the Tammy Blackburn Award, given annually to the student-athlete who epitomizes loyalty, effort, athletic prowess and team spirit.

As Blackburn underwent treatment, she began to wonder if there was an unmet need among SDSU students affected by cancer. “I don’t want SDSU students forced to make a decision between school and medical bills. I don’t want them dropping out,” said Blackburn. When financial aid administrators confirmed her suspicions, she settled on a name for what she would create—the Wallace Shatsky Blackburn Courage Through Cancer Fund, named for the UC San Diego Health doctors who saved her life.

“Working on this fund, named for them and directed to SDSU students, has been a giant healing step—psychologically and emotionally.”

“Tammy’s fund will help us to help students faster,” said SDSU Financial Aid and Scholarships Director Rose Pasenelli. “This fund will help us set students up for success on the front end instead of stressing all the way through the year and trying to scramble and find money wherever we can.”

A lifelong advocate of physical activity, Paul became involved with research on an N.I.H. funded program named SPARK (Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids) alongside SDSU Professors Thom McKenzie and Jim Sallis.

SPARK is dedicated to creating, implementing, and evaluating research-based programs to improve the health of children and adolescents, and promotes wellness throughout the lifetime. Considered the “Godfather” of the SPARK Program, Paul first joined the SPARK research team in 1990, and served as the program’s Executive Director from the beginning of dissemination in 1993 until his retirement in 2015.

Paul is known for his extensive work as a content author, teacher trainer, and physical activity leader, having contributed as an intervention director and consultant for many benchmark national studies / projects throughout his career. These studies focused in the fields of physical education, after school programs, early childhood, and coordinated school health.

While leading the SPARK dissemination effort, Paul taught future teachers how to instruct physical education at UCSD for 11 years. He has over 25 publications/papers/magazine articles in professional journals, has authored or co-authored 16 curriculum books for teachers, and has conducted nearly 400 professional workshops and conference presentations worldwide. He was appointed as the first Deputy Director of the California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports (1996), and served as a key member of the education committee for many years. Before returning to SDSU in 1990 to work on the first SPARK research grant, Paul taught for 12 years as a physical educator, athletic director, department head, and sports coach. He’s also proud of his years as a Recreation Leader with the Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Department (which put him through SDSU) in his hometown of Chula Vista, CA.

Together with his wife Wendy, Paul is establishing three endowed funds within SDSU’s School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences.

The SPARK Endowed Scholarship will provide support to students pursuing the Fitness Specialist concentration in Kinesiology who have financial need.

The SPARK Endowment for Student Research and Scholarly Activities will enhance the educational experience of students by supporting expenses related to research, conference travel, and other high-impact practices that contribute to the academic experience of students.

The SPARK Endowment for Faculty Research will support expenses associated with faculty research.

“SDSU has been a big part of my life. From 1974-79 as a student; from 1990-2002 as an employee, and through our partnership with SPARK from 1990-2015 when I retired. I’m grateful to have an opportunity to give back to SDSU, and I strongly encourage my fellow alumni to do the same, and join me in becoming a member of the Heritage Society,” shared Paul.

These fans come ready to cheer on the mighty Aztecs to the very end. “S.D.S.U. SDSU Aztecs Fight!” can be heard echoing across the stands. Among these dedicated fans is former SDSU employee, Brian Miller.

Brian’s experience with SDSU athletics came when he was hired by the Aztec Athletic Ticket Office. Here, he was tasked with influencing Aztec football and basketball fans to purchase game and season tickets for those programs. “I had so much fun working in the ticket office,” remembered Brian, “My family was/is from the mid-west but they could see how much I enjoyed myself in San Diego and working for SDSU athletics. To that extent, they were happy for me that I found a ‘home’.”

Behind all the touchdowns, home runs, and baskets, there is a side to athletics that most fans are not aware of. Employees like Brian are essential in providing fans the opportunity to cheer on their team.

Despite his love for SDSU Athletics, Brian understands the importance of universities being a sanctuary of higher learning. Forwarding the athletics programs cannot happen without the continuous improvement of the university campus that provides opportunity for many.

“I was there when the ‘old’ campus was rebuilt and reinvested into a modern, state of the art, beautiful ‘new’ campus,” said Brian. It was because of this improvement that “the seeds were planted for raising the quality and competitiveness of the athletics programs.” The goal for Brian: “I’d love to see the university thrive and offer its students, and San Diego, the best of both worlds.”

Brian is looking to make this goal a reality by continuing his support of SDSU with a planned gift. It’s with this fighting spirit that SDSU can achieve its long-term goals of becoming a nation leading university. In the words of the Aztec “Fight song”, “We will fight till victory!”

Randi McKenzie, M.Ed., officially retired in 2016 as an emerita Assistant Dean for Student Affairs (College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts—PSFA). She has worked and volunteered at SDSU in numerous roles, including serving as the Director of the Student-Faculty Mentoring Program (FSMP) and teaching in the School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences. She has a strong background as a competitor (e.g., finishing second in the nation in women’s saber fencing), and has taught in the Old Globe Theatre’s MFA program for four seasons. Currently, she volunteers within PSFA, the Office of Educational Opportunity Programs and Ethnic Affairs (EOP), in the School of Theatre, Television, and Film, and co-advises Mortar Board and the Civil Core. Beyond SDSU, Randi volunteers with the American Red Cross and the Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol, a San Diego Police department that provides additional “eyes” on the street, checks on vacation homes, assists home-bound seniors, and delivers evidence to district/city attorney offices.

Thom McKenzie, Ph.D., officially retired as emeritus professor in the SDSU School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences in 2004. A native of Canada, he is a former school physical education and health teacher, coach, and administrator. He also served as a technical consultant with the USA National and Olympic Volleyball Teams for 16 years. Dr. McKenzie has authored/co-authored approximately 300 scientific papers and chapters, presented at over 500 international, national, and state conferences, and served on numerous national committees and task forces. In his own words, despite humble beginnings, he has “traveled broadly, participated in the Olympics, dined with a president, and received more recognition than ever imagined.” Through his research and scholarship (which continues and includes being on NIH-funded grants through the SDSU Foundation), Thom truly has impacted society in a most profound manner. He, for example, is co-founder of SPARK (Sports, Play, & Active Recreation for Kids), an internationally recognized, evidence-based, physical education curriculum and instruction program that is now in its 31st year.

Randi notes, “I have received a great deal from working and volunteering with the students, faculty, and staff at SDSU. Having spent 40 years on SDSU’s campus, I wanted to repay the university for the privilege of working with those from whom I have learned so much.”

Randi and Thom have included SDSU in their estate plans. Their gifts support a KPBS programmatic endowment, the SDSU Emergency Crisis Response Team, and the SDSU Courage Through Cancer Fund. Additionally, they annually support student research within the School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences as well as the Performing Arts Traveling Troupe, a Bystander Intervention and Sword Fighting program, and Children’s Theatre within PSFA.

We are so grateful for all that Randi and Thom do for SDSU and the broader community.

Rebecca, who graduated from SDSU with a Master of Science in Critical Care Nursing, Clinical Nurse Specialist, worked full-time as a nurse during her schooling. “The coursework was heavy and hard. I just hung in there,” Rebecca recalled. The library would become a second home for Long where she would build friendships with her colleagues while studying for various classes.

The hard work would pay off for Rebecca, however, as she would go on to be a nurse for 40 years. During this time, she also served as SDSU Nursing Faculty for 12 years, a position she touts as the “Best job ever.” Rebecca also served as a health policy fellow for a senator, chaired a national Board of Directors for AACN Certification Corporation, and served as a legal expert witness for nursing. “It’s been an amazing ride, literally!” said Long.

In contrast to Rebecca’s college experience, Erik would go on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Recreation Administration. His time at SDSU was highlighted by membership within the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, where he would not only make new friends, but had a built-in family. This helped Erik become more comfortable with the college experience after a tough first semester. “The first semester was so hard; I was away from home; I came down from the Bay area and slept on a couch of a friend for 2 weeks before renting a dilapidated apartment with another starving student,” recalled Erik.

Twenty years in the corporate world after his time at SDSU gave Erik the skills and professional experience to start his own business in antiques and estate jewelry. Erik is also a Chapter and Alumni Advisor for Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and advocate for the San Diego Rescue Mission. Both he and Rebecca are also mentors to two brothers within the San Diego Foster Youth organization.

Erik and Rebecca have cemented their legacy to SDSU with a planned gift. “We see firsthand the quality student at SDSU,” said Rebecca. “They are the leaders of the future and we are so impressed. We are both so grateful for our SDSU DNA, and we want to continue to support efforts toward growing a great place for academics and life.”

Confidence-building and inspirational. This is how Erik and Rebecca describe the impact SDSU had on them. And thanks to their continued support, they hope to share this experience with the next generation.

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Her father, who was an engineer, wanted her to utilize her considerable academic strengths as a mathematician or an engineer, but she would have none of it. Teaching was her calling.

“It just appealed to me,” she said. So much so, in fact, that she taught elementary school for 39 years.

Patsy’s husband, Gerry (’65, ’73), was similarly driven, but in a different way. His professional goals were influenced by a love of music.

“Since I was a junior in high school, I said, ‘I’m going to be a band director,'” he explained. “That was it; I was just totally focused on what I wanted to do.”

Right out of college Gerry landed a position as a band director and taught music for 37 years. All but five of those years he spent just three miles from SDSU at Helix High School where he was band director instructing a range of music groups including the bagpipe band, the orchestra, the marching band, the cadet band, and music theory.

“It was heaven,” he said. “I used to tell people I loved my job so much I would teach for free and they would say, ‘Don’t tell the administration that.'”

Finding Their Rhythm

Patsy and Gerry met through the Marching Aztecs. She was a freshman twirler and he was a graduate student working to complete a teaching credential.

They lacked a common rhythm at first. While Gerry was launching a teaching career, Patsy was still a student, but over time the pair developed a certain harmony.

They were married after Patsy’s first year of teaching. “So that was a long time,” she said. “Five years off and on—more off than on—but the timing was right.”

That was 48 years ago. After long and gratifying teaching careers, the Kirks are retired and enjoy traveling the world and engaging in new experiences.

Gerry conducts, composes, and arranges for Bonafide Brass, a 12-member trombone ensemble. With more free time, they have both reconnected with SDSU and enjoy attending university events.

A Lasting Impact

Having supported SDSU through various donations, the Kirks recently began discussing ways to make a more personal lasting impact at the university. They considered creating music or education scholarships along with other possibilities, but ultimately decided to fund an endowment providing scholarships to SDSU students in perpetuity.

Having come from San Diego families of modest means, the Kirks both attended local public schools and worked during their SDSU student days to fund their undergraduate educations. Each managed to graduate in four years debt free.

“And that rarely happens anymore,” said Gerry. “Today, kids have to work two or three part-time jobs and go to college, which is really hard.”

“I worked, but I was lucky enough to get some scholarship money,” said Patsy. “We just decided that the most important thing we could do at this point in our lives was to help kids go to school. It’s the right thing to do.”

Creating a Legacy

To set up their endowment, the Kirks enlisted the assistance of SDSU Interim Associate Vice President of Development Mary Darling, who lauded the couple’s vision for their legacy at SDSU. “Patsy and Gerry are not only generous, but forward-thinking in their support for future generations of SDSU students,” she said.

The one stipulation the Kirks made on their scholarships is that recipients come from public schools in San Diego—the city or county. Students from any academic discipline will be eligible.

“By limiting our funding to a particular area, we would not be opening doors to careers and studies that don’t exist now,” Patsy explained. “There is always something new coming along and we will let the university select students in need.”

“We wanted as few constraints as possible,” Gerry said. “But we really wanted to keep it local because we are local.”

Kids Are Their Priority

With so many possibilities to choose from, philanthropic decision-making might seem a daunting task. But for the Kirks, who basically shared the same goal—to become educators—long before they ever met, the choice was simple.

“We don’t have any children,” Patsy said.

“Everybody asks us, ‘Do you have children?'” Gerry continued. “And I say, ‘We have thousands of kids.’

“Kids in college are our top priority. We want to take care of the students.”

Just as they always have.

Puccini’s mother was partially right: Her son did have big dreams, but in the decades since graduation, he has achieved them—and more. Today, he travels the world as CEO of Puccini Group, which creates concepts, designs and brand identities for the hospitality and restaurant industry.

Now in its 21st year, his company manages $40 million in operations and several million dollars in design projects each year, creating restaurants, hotels and resorts throughout the United States and around the globe.

Henry Janssen’s influence

Puccini started his freshman year at SDSU as a pre-med major, but quickly realized the sciences didn’t suit him. Switching to economics and political science, he found a mentor in professor Henry Janssen. Puccini and his friend, David Johns, shared dinners and political discourse with Janssen, a university legend who taught political science for more than 35 years.

“He was as much a philosopher as he was a political scientist,” Puccini recalled. “Henry saw the world on a higher plane than most other people.”

Puccini’s gifts to SDSU honor Janssen, a former adviser to several campus honor societies, and support students in the Susan and Stephen Weber Honors College.

“Bob is a great example of what young people can achieve with an SDSU education,” said Mary Ruth Carleton, vice president for University Relations and Development. “We appreciate his support of the honors college, which mentors high-achieving students to reach and exceed their potential.”

Industry mentors

Puccini joined the Peace Corps after graduating in 1968. He spent a year in Brazil and then became a tank commander for the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Knox. After those worldly experiences, further classroom education seemed irrelevant.

Instead of returning to school, he became manager of the Bali Hai restaurant in San Diego and went on to hold a series of increasingly responsible positions in the hospitality field. His mentors include industry giants George Millay, founder of Sea World, and Larry Cano, the pioneer behind the El Torito restaurant chain. Puccini became vice president of Cano’s company when conglomerate W.R. Grace acquired it in 1978. He was only 30.

“Larry encouraged me to go out on my own,” Puccini said. “He bet that I could open five restaurants in 12 months, and that’s what got me started. Ultimately, I ended up in San Francisco, met Bill Kimpton, and became vice president of restaurant operations for his hotels and then a partner in the first boutique chain in the country.”

Putting on a show

Puccini worked for Kimpton Hotels until 1996, when he formed Puccini Group with Kimpton as his partner. With hundreds of projects under his belt, he now approaches the creation of each new restaurant as a director might stage a play.

“You’re putting on a show with a set, music, lighting and costumes,” Puccini said. “If you do it correctly—if you over-deliver on the promise— it’s an emotionally satisfying experience. Michelin restaurants are more about technique than great food, and sometimes the experience is not as enjoyable as at a normal first-class restaurant.”

Not that Puccini doesn’t value great food and the variety of dishes he has sampled in his travels. His current project for the Sheraton Metechi Palace Hotel—frequent haunt of Russian leader Joseph Stalin—takes him to Tbilisi, Georgia, which is, coincidentally, the center of the SDSU Georgia program.

“Visiting a city as a tourist is much different from going as an entrepreneur,” Puccini said. “If your project is popular, you become a local celebrity.”

And his mom would have been fine with that.

Her giving affords students the kinds of transformational experiences—such as study abroad and internships— that enrich their education.

“I love this university. I’ve devoted my life to it, and I see the value of the education students get at SDSU,” Gattas said. “I want to provide them with those extraordinary kinds of experiences that add value to their education and their own growth.”

As dean, Gattas has connected SDSU to the community through her involvement with San Diego institutions. She has served on numerous boards and committees, including the San Diego Public Library Foundation Board of Trustees, the San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture Advocacy Committee, the Balboa Park Conservancy and the San Diego Women’s Foundation.

She has also worked with alumni and friends of SDSU donors to raise scholarship support for students whose professional internships are not funded.

“I believe one of the pillars of PSFA is internships,” she said. “They really get to the core of these professional disciplines.”

Donovan’s planned gift will make it possible for SDSU to offer more golf scholarships and recruit better players.

“We want to be competing against the best programs in the country, to say we had a piece of it,” said Donovan. “Scholarships are an important part of winning national championships.”

With Donovan as coach, the Aztecs have advanced to the NCAA regionals every season with an active streak of 20 straight postseason bids. Two of his players— J.J. Spaun and Xander Schauffele—are currently on the PGA Tour.

Donovan is the type of coach who knows his players well and keeps in touch with them long after they leave SDSU. He attends their weddings, writes them professional references and even hires some of them to be his assistant coaches.

“The most important thing to remember is where you came from and the opportunities you were given,” Donovan said. “If you can return the favor by giving back, that’s the best.”

Bill Brack, ’76, a finance major, and his wife, Karen, began exploring the idea of a planned gift to SDSU when they were updating their estate plans.

Karen is a loyal Louisiana State University alumna, and the couple has divided their giving between the two universities.

“We wanted to give back to our alma maters,” Bill said. “We both feel that our college education gave us the opportunity to have fulfilling careers, and we want to create the same educational opportunity for other deserving students.”

Leaving a legacy

What Jones likes to emphasize is that anyone can leave a legacy.

“By leaving a bequest or gift to SDSU through your estate plan,” she said, “you start a legacy and also send a message that you value education.”

Bring on the advanced algebra and physics classes—those were the classes she relished. Little did Denkler know that she would make history with her unconventional choices.

In 1961, she became the first woman to graduate with an engineering degree from San Diego State, choosing civil engineering/structural design as her major. It was an unlikely pick for a woman at the time.

Always realistic, Denkler expected resistance from professors and fellow students, but she hadn’t anticipated practical problems like conducting field surveys dressed in the skirts that all coeds wore.

“I would trudge down the mountain behind campus with my tripod over my shoulder and walk through a tunnel under the four-lane freeway. Well, that got old, and I soon found a better solution. I drove to the site and changed into slacks in my car.”

Denkler developed a strong attachment to State, and the feeling was mutual. She became freshman class secretary, president of Alpha Phi and a member of the homecoming court. Engineering students voted her Miss Aztec Engineer and built a float built exclusively for her appearance in the 1961 Homecoming Parade.

As graduation approached, career placement staff—perhaps concerned that the world was not ready for a woman engineer—arranged interviews for Denkler with four major corporations. All four offered her positions, and she joined Pacific Telephone & Telegraph, now PacBell, as a chief engineer.

Again, she faced opposition from some, but many recognized her ability. In 24 years at PacBell, Denkler held 27 positions, and was the first women to occupy most of them. Subsequent careers in in- surance and marketing deepened her experience in ways that have made her a valuable mentor for young women.

Now retired, Denkler lives with her husband, Neal, in Palm Desert, where she serves on the board of the College of the Desert Foundation and the McCallum Theatre auxiliary, and finds time for golf, Mah Jonng and travel.

Active in The Campaign for SDSU, the Denklers have made a planned gift and are members of the National Campaign Commit- tee.

“I realize my education at SDSU opened doors to opportunities in both business and public affairs and now in retirement,” Denkler said. “During a recent tour of campus and the engineering facilities, I was awestruck by the sophisticated and far-reaching educational opportunities available to our students. I am grateful to be able to give back and say thank you.”

Donated to San Diego State University’s Library in 1998 by Mr. Meades, the Vince Meades Collection has grown to include over 250,000 pieces of sheet music, 15,000 long-playing vinyl records, and 990 books on the entertainment industry.

All genres and themes are represented within the collection, with the sheet music portion of the collection dating back to the end of the Civil War. While popular music from movies is the strongest category within the collection, it also includes music from television and radio, as well as music from Broadway musicals.

Not only is the collection a valuable resource for researching the history and development of American musical theatre and 20th century musical films; it also serves as a record of American history.

In addition to providing a reflection of common emotions, values, and experiences through popular song lyrics, the sheet music also features cover artwork that is illustrative of its respective time period.

The Vince Meades Popular American Sheet Music Collection offers a sampling of the work created during the Roaring Twenties by many legendary writers and artists—which includes numerous beloved jazz and musical theatre standards.

Currently, a portion of this collection is displayed in the 24/7 exhibit case to focus on Broadway’s busiest decade and the legacy of late 1920s musicals.

Collaborating with Special Collections and Arts Alive, the School of Theatre, Television, and Film and the entire production team of The Drowsy Chaperone are thrilled to highlight this important collection!

Every Saturday morning in 1947, Anne would board the Barnett Avenue bus towards downtown from her Navy housing in Point Loma to attend swimming practice. Anne’s weekend passion at the historic 10th and C street YWCA building turned into a lifetime interest in education and physical health.

Being a resident of San Diego, Anne’s ties to the community led her to apply to San Diego State University. That, and her parents offered her a deal she could not refuse. If Anne were to attend SDSU, her parents would fund a study abroad tour. With local pride and a prospective opportunity for education abroad, Anne was accepted into SDSU as a Physical Education major with a minor in Social Science. Anne chose to live at home and commute to school, but that did not stop her from becoming a highly involved student.

Shortly after arriving at San Diego State, Anne joined the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority. Because activities in the sorority happened on campus, Anne was provided with a deep sense of belonging and she quickly became integrated into campus culture.

Another way in which Anne became strongly connected to SDSU was through her promised study abroad tour in 1960. Anne’s trip comprised of 40 students, faculty, and staff travelled to twelve countries across Europe in 72 days. Anne’s time abroad, as her mother told her, was an “education in and of itself.”

After graduating, Anne went on to teach the youth of San Diego with a starter year at Oceanside High School, twenty-nine years at Madison High School, and finally, retiring from Mission Bay High School. As an alumna, Anne not only devoted herself to secondary education, she also continued being an integral part of SDSU. Till this day, Anne continues to mentor students in the SDSU School of Teacher Education as they prepare to graduate and teach future generations of students. For these reasons, Anne designated a portion of her estate to support student scholarships and faculty research and development within the College of Arts and Letters.

Anne’s passion for travel never ended with her first San Diego State trip in 1960. Her appreciation for the Humanities led her to become involved with the Confucius Institute. Anne visited different parts of China with other faculty and staff from SDSU including former Dean Paul Wong. Another trip with Dean Wong, called the Library Tour, took place in Vietnam. Finally, Anne even accompanied the late Ambassador Charles W. Hostler to the Balkan countries of Albania Macedonia, Kosovo and Montenegro.

Cultural differences have enriched their bond, and so has a common interest in hospitality and tourism. William Sample, Mary’s father, was co-founder of Atlas Hotels, which started with the Town and Country Hotel, a premier property in Mission Valley. Meral’s interest in the field arose later, when she began a career teaching hospitality and tourism management classes at Istanbul’s Bogazici University.

According to Mary, her lifelong friendship with Meral, as well as her parent’s devotion to their business, motivated her to create a legacy within the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) at San Diego State. Her significant planned gift to the university created the William Sample and Fern Sample Stanford Memorial Endowment to Enhance International Exchange, a source of funding that will exist in perpetuity.

“I felt it was important to honor my parents while also encouraging students to study abroad,” Mary said. “Through my own experiences, I’ve learned that international travel helps to expand your perspective and how you view the world.”

The Willette endowment will eventually provide a minimum of $60,000 annually in support of international study for HTM students and for international stu- dents interested in studying the field at SDSU. Honoring Mary’s strong connection to Meral, preference will be given to those who study abroad at Bogazici University. A portion of the funding will also support HTM faculty participation in foreign exchange programs and activities.

HTM Director Carl Winston said Mary’s contribution aligns perfectly with the vision of SDSU’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

“SDSU has one of the largest study abroad programs in the country, and we’re consistently ranked with the best,” Winston said. “Global orientation is a component of all SDSU schools and programs, especially within the tourism specialty.

“Our new emphasis in sustainable tourism requires a semester abroad. Mary’s gift will make this possible for many students, including those who couldn’t otherwise afford it. She is helping us offer invaluable hands-on experience to support our students’ personal growth, as well as their careers, and we are grateful for her vision and generosity.”

Wilson passed away at the age of 95, but his legacy at SDSU will continue on with the Donald Grey Wilson Scholarship Fund supported by his estate gift of $1.3 million.

“Although Dr. Wilson had long since retired when I became dean of engineering, he remained engaged with the college, providing a unique insight and perspective that only comes from a long career as an academic,” said David Hayhurst, dean of the College of Engineering.

“He remained committed to supporting exceptional students in electrical engineering. He will certainly be missed by me.”

Devotion to SDSU

Wilson received his his undergraduate degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, his master’s and doctoral degrees at Harvard, and headed the University of Kansas electrical engineering department before teaching at San Diego State. But something about SDSU really resonated with him.

In a 2009 interview, Wilson told SDSU NewsCenter, “My San Diego State experience was very rewarding, and making my contribution was a way to express my appreciation.”

After retiring, Wilson created his namesake scholarship fund for electrical engineering students, a fund that has helped many students throughout the last 20 years.

Wilson spent 30-plus years as an informal liaison between SDSU’s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the San Diego section of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, the nation’s largest professional society. He was active in the institute and was always looking for ways to make meaningful connections between students and professionals in the industry.

Lifelong commitment to electrical engineering

Wilson’s career as an electrical engineer began in 1940 with a five-year stint as an instructor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Over the next five decades he conducted radar research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; chaired the electrical engineering department at the University of Kansas; consulted with the U.S. Naval Ordnance Test Station on the Sidewinder Missile; held leadership positions with General Dynamics, P.R. Mallory and Company, C.C.C. Inc., Continental Resources Minerals Corporation and Tanzi Mergers and Acquisitions before landing as a lecturer at SDSU.

Christine Probett says San Diego State is part of her DNA. It’s where she earned three degrees and has served as a professor for more than 10 years. As a way of giving back, she and her husband created an endowed scholarship at the Fowler College of Business to benefit future students.

Donors who arrange to give to San Diego State University through planned gifts enable us to provide transformative educational opportunities. No matter the size of the gift—through your will, trust, real estate, retirement assets or insurance—you can help to support educational experiences that prepare students to engage in the community through creativity, involvement, leadership and innovation.

At SDSU, Donna earned her degree in Speech Communication. She was active in Speech and Debate throughout her college career, and enjoyed the experience of traveling to different campuses, meeting many interesting people, and competing nationwide.

After graduating, Donna stayed home to raise their three daughters, who were all close in age. The couple is proud that all three of their children graduated from college and have successfully entered professional fields. Once they were grown, Donna taught classes in crafting at Mira Costa College. In the realm of crafts, there is little that Donna cannot do. Her skills include making baskets, sewing quilts, and floral design.

Tom earned his BA in General Studies, a degree that included three minors: Geology, Speech Arts, and Economics. These minors served him well as he embarked on a successful and exciting career in the aerospace industry. An early highlight of his career was when he was assigned to a program with Ryan Aeronautical to help build Surveyor, the very first earth object that would land on the surface of the moon. However, his proudest moment came during the years he served on the Solana Beach City Council. During his tenure as mayor, Solana Beach implemented the very first beach and park smoking ban in the continental United States, leading the way for similar legislation at beaches and parks around the country.

Tom and Donna share a passion for the environment and appreciate spending time outdoors. Donna’s love of gardening is an extension of this passion. Tom chairs the President’s Council of the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy and is also an active volunteer with the San Dieguito River Valley Park.

Tom and Donna have made a planned gift that will support SDSU’s School of Communication and SDSU-affiliated radio station, KPBS. Their gift to the School of Communication was created as an endowment, and will provide scholarship support in perpetuity to students with financial need. They are currently funding a portion of their endowment through a gift of stock so that scholarships will be immediately available for students. When asked what prompted them to make their generous gift, Tom reflected, “SDSU opened up great opportunities for me, This seemed like a good way to give back for all that SDSU has given us.” Donna added, “Lifelong learning is so important. We feel our support of SDSU is really an investment in future generations.”

In addition, he has received two Honorary Doctorates, from Semmelweis University in Bucharest, Hungary (1998) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Brussels, Belgium (2005) for his contributions to physique and performance.

Dr. Carter was involved in the development of new degrees and programs within the Department of Physical Education from 1962- 92. (Physical Education is now part of the School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences at SDSU.)

Early on, Dr. Carter had a passion for physical activity and the benefits it had on one’s health. In New Zealand, his favorite college experience was an outdoor camping trip to Trotter’s Gorge and his favorite class was Human Anatomy. He wants to encourage students to pursue their passions and he leads by example.

In addition to health and fitness, Dr. Carter consults with international colleagues and is keen on travel and family genealogy. It is no surprise that Lindsay fell in love at the University of Iowa with Lolita Diñoso, Ph.D., a modern dance teacher originally from the Philippines. She received her formal education and developed a solid background in Philippine Folk Dance at the University of the Philippines.

In 1974, Lolita Carter founded the Samahan Philippine Dance Company in San Diego in order to provide Filipino youth the opportunity to gain knowledge and appreciation of their cultural heritage. The dance company is thriving today as the Samahan Filipino American Performing Arts and Education Center. Additionally, Lolita started the dance program at Grossmont Community College in 1964 and taught there until she retired in 1988. Sadly, Lolita passed away in 2011 but left behind a lasting legacy of education to her students and love to her husband of 53 years.

In reflecting on Lolita’s life and his own, Dr. Carter decided he wanted their legacy to include helping students to overcome financial barriers and achieve academic success. In 2013, through a bequest supporting the College of Health and Human Services, he established the J.E. Lindsay Carter Endowed Scholarship in support of graduate students in the School of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences. His gift will allow students facing financial barriers to achieve graduate degrees and set them on a path toward pursuing their own passions and career success.

SDSU has played an important role in their educational and social lives. Wanting to give back was a natural desire, but they found it difficult to decide on how to do that in a meaningful way beyond their one-time gifts.

“There are so many giving options, I was overwhelmed,” explains Matt Dathe. “Life is a moving target and coming up with a specific amount to donate or a way to give was not easy for us as we bought a house, advanced in our careers and started a family.”

The right solution for the Dathes was a planned gift through the Heritage Society.

The Heritage Society honors individuals who have generously named San Diego State as a beneficiary in their estate plans or planned gifts. Since most of these gifts will be realized by San Diego State after the lifetime of the donor, the Heritage Society was created to thank donors in the present for their generous intentions.

“The Heritage Society was a perfect solution for us. It allowed us to give a percentage of our estate, and still have the flexibility to change it to a specific amount as we progress through the years. It has given us peace of mind knowing that we’ve given back in a substantial way,” explained Dathe.

Although there are many ways to give planned gifts and be recognized in the Heritage Society, one of the easiest is through a simple bequest. The donor fills out a form and mails it to the University. The University will send out a letter of intent to be signed. One copy goes to the University and the other to the donor. That’s it. There’s no up front cost, and it’s fully modifiable and revokable, and serves as your commitment to the University.

Richard Fogg (’03), a private wealth adviser, has been working to strengthen ties between SDSU and the Financial Planning Association of San Diego (FPA). As president of the group in 2015, he moved its quarterly educational meetings and annual symposium back to Montezuma Mesa.

For Fogg, this “homecoming” acknowledges SDSU’s rapidly growing role in the industry, fueled by the quality and quantity of its finance department graduates. To further solidify the partnership, Fogg has recruited young Aztecs to join the FPA board.

“We’re reconnecting the FPA with the heritage of SDSU’s program and ultimately, we’re reconnecting alumni with their alma mater,” said Fogg, president of Pacific Coast Financial Planning Group.

SDSU’s financial planning program was the first in the country to be offered at a fully accredited college of business. Upon completion, students can sit for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam. Fogg joined the program after serving in the Navy. Now, he sits on the advisory board, matches students with mentors and helps find internship opportunities for future financial planners.

“Richard is a person who works extremely hard behind the scenes and doesn’t look for recognition,” said Thomas Warschauer, an SDSU finance professor and director of the financial planning program.

For three years, Fogg has also served on SDSU’s National Leadership Council, whose philanthropic mission is to enhance SDSU’s position as an international leader in teaching, research and service to the global community.

He and his wife, Sharon (’75), are long-time donors. They support the President’s Leadership Fund and are Director’s Cabinet members for SDSU Athletics, also providing scholarships for student-athletes.

Recently, the Foggs created and funded the Thomas Warschauer Endowed Director of Financial Planning to provide administrative support in perpetuity for SDSU’s financial planning program.

The couple said philanthropy has always been “an integral part of who we are,” and a tradition they’ve shared with their children, including Hannah, an SDSU finance major. Fogg also encourages other Aztecs to support SDSU.

“Whether through donation or mentorship, Aztecs need to reach out and contribute,” he said. “Our legacy strengthens SDSU and sustains its growth as a serious institution of higher education.”

The Montys honor outstanding SDSU alumni for their contributions to the university, the region and the nation.

“This generous gift from the Lubys will go a long way to enhance the education of all SDSU students,” said Jon Cawthorne, interim dean of SDSU Library and Information Access.

“The library is integral to student success. It supports research and class work, but sometimes just simply provides a quiet place to study. With this donation, we will be able to meet the changing needs of the modern student.”

The library is the most visited building on campus, with outstanding book, journal and special collections. Library computers, printers, wireless connections, study rooms and media are in constant use. Around-the-clock hours and website access support a new generation of students.

The San Diego couple have been active volunteers over the past several decades, at SDSU and in the community. Charles served as president of the SDSU Alumni Association Board of Directors and both he and Robin have supported committees on campus.

Charles, now retired from his career with General Atomics, received his bachelor’s (1959) and master’s (1964) degrees in chemistry from SDSU. Robin, a retired school teacher, also received her bachelor’s degree in English from SDSU in 1961.

“We’re very much committed to making the university continue to be the best it can and if there’s a way that we can help in what the goals are for the university, we’re going to do that,” Robin Luby said.

As one of only two master of fine arts programs in the nation, SDSU prepares emerging artists for careers as performers, directors, music directors, choreographers and educators in the field of Musical Theatre. The two-year program is unique in its integration of conservatory-style training with academic study.

Students and graduates of the master of fine arts Musical Theatre Program have performed on and off Broadway, in regional theatres, in national and international tours, and on local stages. Perhaps most importantly, graduates ensure the legacy of this unique American art form by teaching in colleges and universities across the nation.

Wall is a professor emerita from the College of Arts & Letters. She was a professor of English (specializing in American Literature) for 37 years, and served as the department chair for a dozen years.

She is a founding member of SDSU Phi Beta Kappa Chapter, and since 2002 has been the chapter’s corresponding secretary. She has supported the musical theatre program for the last 10 years through scholarships and support of the archive.

“I’m impressed by the quality of the faculty’s work, by the changes they bring about in their graduate students in the course of two years, as well as in the research component of the master of fine arts program,” Wall said. “My gift will help to train the next generation of musical theatre educators for universities across the country. I hope others will contribute to the MFA in Musical Theatre program so the archive can be expanded and the graduate students can have access to an additional layer of specialized instructors.”

O’Donnell retired in 2008 after 35 years as a professor in both theatre and music. He is a founding member of the musical theatre master of fine arts program, and taught in the program since its inception in 1982. O’Donnell is well-known across campus as the carillonneur of the 204-bell University Carillon.

“Our unique MFA Musical Theatre curriculum is designed to balance both performance skills and scholarship; It is compelling to see what this program does to develop young artists,” said O’Donnell. “Over the last 30 years, I’ve observed our program graduates make extraordinary contributions both as artists and educators.”

Richard Fogg (’03), a private wealth adviser, has been working to strengthen ties between SDSU and the Financial Planning Association of San Diego (FPA). As president of the group in 2015, he moved its quarterly educational meetings and annual symposium back to Montezuma Mesa.

For Fogg, this “homecoming” acknowledges SDSU’s rapidly growing role in the industry, fueled by the quality and quantity of its finance department graduates. To further solidify the partnership, Fogg has recruited young Aztecs to join the FPA board.

“We’re reconnecting the FPA with the heritage of SDSU’s program and ultimately, we’re reconnecting alumni with their alma mater,” said Fogg, president of Pacific Coast Financial Planning Group.

SDSU’s financial planning program was the first in the country to be offered at a fully accredited college of business. Upon completion, students can sit for the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam. Fogg joined the program after serving in the Navy. Now, he sits on the advisory board, matches students with mentors and helps find internship opportunities for future financial planners.

“Richard is a person who works extremely hard behind the scenes and doesn’t look for recognition,” said Thomas Warschauer, an SDSU finance professor and director of the financial planning program.

For three years, Fogg has also served on SDSU’s National Leadership Council, whose philanthropic mission is to enhance SDSU’s position as an international leader in teaching, research and service to the global community.

He and his wife, Sharon (’75), are long-time donors. They support the President’s Leadership Fund and are Director’s Cabinet members for SDSU Athletics, also providing scholarships for student-athletes.

Recently, the Foggs created and funded the Thomas Warschauer Endowed Director of Financial Planning to provide administrative support in perpetuity for SDSU’s financial planning program.

The couple said philanthropy has always been “an integral part of who we are,” and a tradition they’ve shared with their children, including Hannah, an SDSU finance major. Fogg also encourages other Aztecs to support SDSU.

“Whether through donation or mentorship, Aztecs need to reach out and contribute,” he said. “Our legacy strengthens SDSU and sustains its growth as a serious institution of higher education.”

Zimmerman realized she wanted to be a college professor when she was still in high school. “I liked being a student,” she said. “I liked studying. I liked books. I liked writing. It seemed like that was the career path to go.”

In addition to teaching, Zimmerman was instrumental in developing courses to cultivate the growth of women’s and lesbian studies. “I was there from the beginning,” Zimmerman said. “I was a graduate student, I was in women’s studies, I was a lesbian, it all came together. When I came to San Diego State, it was an open and welcome environment … I was able to flourish because San Diego State was such an open environment.”

Zimmerman, along with Edith Benkov, later created lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender courses in the mid-1990s. Although the courses began as a one-unit lecture series, they later expanded to three-units and became the foundation for the LGBT minor. The minor became official at the start of the 2009–10 academic year, making SDSU the third university in the California State University system to offer it.

Zimmerman has gained an international reputation for being one of the earliest pioneers in the field of lesbian studies. She has published numerous articles, as well as three books and an encyclopedia on lesbian histories and cultures.

“Bonnie Zimmerman is a model of what someone who works at the university should be,” Benkov said. “(She is an) excellent teacher, excellent scholar and someone who really gave her life to university service as well for the bettering of the university and its faculty and its students.”

Zimmerman has chosen to support Women’s and LGBT Studies and has said her love for SDSU kept her from pursuing opportunities at other universities. “I got so much support,” she said. “(SDSU) allows people to do what they want to do, not what the mainstream says you have to do. That was really great for me.”

“This is such a fabulous university; sometimes people don’t realize how fabulous it is,” Zimmerman said. “This is a place that allowed me to just do everything and be everything that I could be.”

In 2010, after 32 years of service, Bonnie retired from SDSU. Though she is no longer teaching, she continues to contribute to student success. Bonnie has designated a portion of her retirement pay to be deducted monthly and donated to SDSU. She has found this to be an easy way to further her giving.

The Aztec Club, the fundraising arm of Athletics, has set a goal of 5,000 members who will support scholarships through the Coryell Legacy — a giving society for donors to contribute endowments and estate gifts.

“We are pleased to announce a $1.25 million estate gift from Robin and Bill Sinclair to launch the Coryell Legacy,” said SDSU Director of Athletics Jim Sterk. “The Sinclairs were first time donors to the university in 2012 and have quickly become very passionate supporters of the Aztecs.”

Named in honor of Don Coryell, the winningest coach in Aztec football history, the Coryell Legacy will be funded through endowments and estate gifts for Aztec Athletics. With an endowment goal of $20 million, the Coryell Legacy will help ensure the financial future of the Department of Athletics and the success of its student-athletes.

In making an estate gift to the Coryell Legacy, the Sinclairs signaled their support for the academic and the athletic achievements of SDSU.

“Bill and I are not alumni, but we love the Aztecs,” Robin said. “From the personable student-athletes to the hard working coaches and staff, we feel SDSU Athletics is a perfect match for our philanthropic priorities, and we are pleased to make this commitment in addition to our annual giving.”

Bill compared building an endowment to building a sports team — a steady stream of new recruits maintains the program’s strengths. “Legacy giving will keep the university growing and guarantee its future,” he said. The Sinclairs’ gift supports The Campaign for SDSU, which has raised more than $750 million. Through the campaign, SDSU has received gifts from alumni, friends, faculty, staff, parents and community partners.

For more information on the Aztec Club and the Coryell Legacy, please contact the Aztec Club at 619-594-6444 or visit https://sdsuaztecclub.com/.

He left with the skills and abilities to influence future generations of engineering students, and the momentum to build SDSU’s engineering presence in the national arena.

A 1964 engineering graduate, Leonhard maintains close ties with San Diego State despite living across the country in Florida. He is a member of the National Campaign for SDSU Leadership Council and serves on the College of Engineering advisory board.

Leonhard feels strongly about giving back to SDSU for providing him the education and tools to succeed as an engineer. Now is the time, he says, for alumni to help current and future students secure a college degree.

“You don’t have to be a billionaire to give money back to the university. It doesn’t take a lot of money over a long period of time to endow a scholarship.”

The William E. Leonhard Chair in Civil and Envivironmental Engineering is funded by an endowment created with gifts from Leonhard and his parents, William E. and Wyllis M. Leonhard. It will enable SDSU to attract and retain the most accomplished faculty in these fields.

Another gift, the William E. Leonhard Jr. Scholarship Endowment, will support scholarships for graduate and undergraduate engineering students.

“This country needs more highly-educated technical personnel,” said Leonhard. “Universities can’t do this work by themselves anymore, especially state universities where the legislatures are [financially] cutting back. Individual alumni need to pick up the slack. We need to show that providing access to quality education is important.”

After retiring from the Air Force as a colonel, Leonhard became senior program manager for The Parsons Corporation, where he managed the design of themed rides for Disney Parks. He was also site manager for a 5-millionsquare-foot computer manufacturing and development site and he consulted on the construction of a computer chip manufacturing plant in Oregon.

Today, Leonhard reflects that his years at SDSU gave him the knowledge and skills to succeed in his career. Not until he left San Diego to work on a master’s degree at another university did he realize the value of his undergraduate education.

“Interestingly enough [when I went to Arizona State University], I got better grades than I expected,” said Leonard. “It made me realize that the education at SDSU was of a much higher quality than I had thought. I am still grateful for that.”

Mark reflects further — “Do not think of an undergraduate or graduate degree as a ticket to material success. Think of it as a way to enhance your intellectual and spiritual self which, in the long run, will serve you better through life.”

Mark first discovered his passion for political science during his favorite class — a political science seminar. “It taught me a huge amount about the difficulty of conflict resolution on the world stage.” Over time, that passion has grown into teaching the “value of civil society in an age of suspicion, repeating the mantra that a public office is indeed a public trust in a democratic society, and reminding my students that they should not judge lest they be judged.”

In addition to obtaining both his Bachelors and Masters degrees in political science, Mark worked in government for the City of San Diego as part of the mayor’s classified staff and as coauthor of a study of crime in San Diego. All the while, Mark’s desire to teach was calling him. Taking advice from one of his professors at SDSU, Mark applied to teach political science for the U.S. Navy where he taught classes both ashore and afloat while traveling the Pacific, including the Philippines and Japan. He reflects on this period as a “time of learning and adventure”. After his teaching adventures at sea, Mark secured a position as an adjunct professor at San Diego City College/ Mesa College where he has taught for the past 25 years.

Mark has a lot to be thankful for and regards his role as a good husband to his wife, Mary Jane, and loving father to their son, Jake, and daughter, Jordan, as his highest ranking achievement. Professionally however, he is most proud of winning the Weinberger Law History Award through the San Diego Historical Society. Mark has also been an amateur triathlete for 20 years which he credits for teaching him about discipline and commitment.

Mark is thankful for his time at SDSU. “I’m fortunate enough to have won a lottery of sorts. I don’t believe in the sour saying that ‘he who dies with the most toys wins’. Winning means doing the best we can for our families, friends, neighbors and community. Whatever I am today — values, interests and moral bearing — I owe in large part to SDSU and the university community that nourished me. I made a smart choice coming to Montezuma Mesa and I want future generations of Aztecs to benefit just as I did.” For this reason, Mark and Mary Jane have made a planned gift, in hopes that as students go out into the world, they will be able to credit their own values, interests and moral being in large part to SDSU.