California State University, San Bernardino
Ellen G. Weisser earned her bachelor’s degree in English from California State University, San Bernardino as part of its second graduating class. She also attended graduate school for her teaching credential at CSUSB and subsequently attended the University of Redlands for school administration. After teaching for 10 years and serving as a school principal for two, she went to work for her family’s pharmacy business. Fifteen years later, Ms. Weisser and her husband, Stan, merged their pharmacies with eight others to form Network Pharmaceuticals Inc. They grew the company to 30 locations and sold it in 2000.
A tireless advocate for Cal State San Bernardino, Ms. Weisser is the honorary co-chair of “Our Defining Moment,” the $200 million blended fundraising campaign launched in 2022. She is a founding member of the university’s Philanthropic Foundation Board, where she served as chair for a number of years. She is also the immediate past president of the College of Arts and Letters Community Leaders Board and is active in the Golden Grad alumni program.
Ms. Weisser was an integral part of Cal State San Bernardino’s first theatre program and established the Ellen Weisser Endowed Theatre Showcase, the first named sponsorship in the Department of Theatre Arts. She currently serves as chair of the campaign to raise $10 million for the program. In honor of the Weissers’ substantial donation, the lobby of the forthcoming $125-million-plus performing arts center will be named the Ellen and Stan Weisser Performing Arts Foyer.
Ms. Weisser is an active member of the community and was instrumental in founding the Grove School, a public Montessori institution in Redlands. Her wide-ranging and substantial public service earned her the title of Redlands Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year in 2017.
In recognition of her many accomplishments and extensive contributions to the university and the community, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, San Bernardino are proud to confer upon Ellen G. Weisser the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.