The California State University has long been one of the most affordable and accessible university systems in the nation—a fact routinely recognized in national rankings. But our value is much more profound: The CSU provides a critical contribution to California, the nation and globally. Armed with a CSU degree, the earning power of our four million-plus alumni continues to lift them, their families and communities, expanding value exponentially. And thanks to the generosity of our donors, this impact is further expanded and heightened, enabling new and life-changing experiences for both students and faculty.
HIGH-TECH MICROSCOPE OPENS UP A NEW WORLD FOR STUDENTS
California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt students now have ready access to a state-of-the-art transmission electron microscope (TEM), the Hitachi HT7800. The highly advanced piece of equipment was made possible by a $500,000 gift from Dr. Kathleen Welsh, daughter of Professor Emeritus of Zoology James F. Welsh, who taught at Cal Poly Humboldt for 27 years.
The microscope will allow undergraduate and graduate students to magnify internal and external structures of biological cells, viruses, DNA and non-biological materials, capturing highly detailed images of structures at the molecular or atomic level. The TEM also makes it much easier to collect large quantities of data compared to technology that relies on film negatives, and students and faculty will no longer have to travel to other universities to use the equipment to conduct research.
“I imagined how much more they could discover if they had access to this microscope at Cal Poly Humboldt,” says Kathleen, who previously established the Dr. James F. Welsh Biology Scholarship with a $157,000 gift to create an endowment that funds four scholarships each year. “Providing students access to world-class technology like the TEM will undoubtedly elevate their understanding as they pursue careers in the sciences.”
GIFT EXPANDS ACCESS TO SPEECH AND LANGUAGE SERVICES FOR LOS ANGELES CHILDREN
Nearly one in 12 children between the ages of three and 17 has had a disorder related to speech, language, voice or swallowing. Many of those children living in California have received no-cost help through the California Scottish Rite Foundation, which recently pledged $386,500 over five years to California State University, Los Angeles.
The gift to the Rongxiang Xu College of Health and Human Services will cover operating expenses associated with services provided to pediatric clients at the university’s Robert L. Douglass Speech-Language Clinic, which offers a full range of diagnostic and therapeutic services to both kids and adults. Cal State LA students majoring in communication disorders have the opportunity to become involved in clinical care; clinical assistants are paired with graduate-student clinicians and a client for one semester at the clinic, which is also the site of the Los Angeles RiteCare Childhood Language Center, one of 19 such free centers across the state. “Because of the generosity of the California Scottish Rite, our students and clients have access to cutting-edge materials and equipment,” said Cari Flint, associate dean of the College.
REVITALIZING GENERAL EDUCATION FOR A RAPIDLY CHANGING WORLD
California State University Maritime Academy has long prepared students for careers in the STEM fields, including transportation and global logistics. Now students will have the opportunity for a more well-rounded education thanks to a grant from the Teagle Foundation. The $245,000 gift will fund the implementation of a new General Education pathway called “Proteus” designed to integrate humanities-based inquiry within Cal Maritime’s technical and professional curriculum.
The Teagle Foundation supports innovative approaches to revitalizing General Education and awarded the grant to Cal Maritime professor Amy Parsons and associate professor Sarah Senk. The university’s Proteus program will bridge the gap between specialized maritime education and the humanistic values inherent in a well-rounded academic experience—a goal echoed by Interim President Michael J. Dumont: “Cal Maritime is committed to providing a cohesive and broad educational experience that prepares our students to adapt and flourish in a rapidly evolving world … [The Proteus Program] will ensure our students graduate not only as skilled professionals but also as critical thinkers and effective communicators.”
ALUMNI COUPLE COMMIT TO GIVING STUDENTS A “BOOST”
When Jim Stockman and Pat Kraemer were attending California State University, San Bernardino several decades ago, money was, to say the least, tight. The couple did earn their degrees, each going on to have a prosperous career—an outcome they credit to their education. “I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for Cal State San Bernardino,” said Kraemer. “It was the foundation for everything. I think it’s the best education value for your dollar.”
Nearly a decade ago, Stockman and Kraemer ensured their legacy would live on at their alma mater by finalizing a planned bequest of $500,000 to the College of Natural Sciences. In 2024, the couple made an additional planned gift of $1 million to go toward student scholarships, with a focus on students pursuing majors in STEM and business. “The idea of helping students makes us really happy,” Kraemer added. “I feel like people going to Cal State San Bernardino are going to do great things with their lives, and if we can give them a boost to make their lives a little easier, that’s really fulfilling.”
TRIBE’S GIFT EXPANDS ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING CENTER
Since 1997, Sonoma State University has been charged with stewarding the 450 acres of Fairfield Osborn Preserve on Sonoma Mountain. The mountain is sacred to the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, whose $2.8 million gift enabled the recent opening of the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Learning Center.
The donation has doubled the space of the center’s teaching/learning facilities, made them more accessible, and added an outdoor listening area designed to bring together different cultures, disciplines and generations to address community environmental priorities.
“Looking at challenges from diverse perspectives sparks innovation,” said Claudia Luke, director of the Center for Environmental Inquiry at Sonoma State. “We need new ways of thinking and doing to address environmental challenges and to find healing in ourselves and our communities.”
About 85 Sonoma State students and community members are trained each year at Fairfield Osborn Preserve. “Bringing people to the preserve is key to reducing the ‘nature deficit’ affecting so many in our community, especially children,” noted SSU Student Naturalist Tessa Thompson.