myCSUSM
Campaign Timeline
2012
January CSUSM begins its first comprehensive campaign, Forward Together
February The San Manuel Band of Mission Indians donates $455,754 to support the research efforts of the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center
September Darlene Marcos Shiley makes $3M gift to establish the CSU Institute for Palliative Care at CSUSM, securing the first lead gift for Forward Together
2013
Spring $25,000 gift funds Career Readiness Initiative for the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences
March Price Family Charitable Fund paves the way to college for all students with a $700,000 donation to the Alliance to Accelerate Excellence in Education
June The Pardee Family endows student scholarships with $1.5M gift, the largest single gift to scholarships in CSUSM history
November CSUSM breaks ground on the new site for its Epstein Family Veterans Center, an award-winning zero-net energy solar house donated by Stevens Institute of Technology
November Administrator Emeritus Dr. Peter Zwick provides estate gift for scholarships for international students and students studying abroad
December Ruth Westreich donates $170,000 to develop workshops and curriculum on palliative care
December The Ecke Family Foundation donates $60,000 to establish the University Library’s first special collection, the Ecke Collection, to preserve the history of The Paul Ecke Ranch, Inc.
2014
February Bob and Marion Wilson initiate $500K challenge grant with a gift supporting athletic facilities
June Ruth Westreich hosts first salon event to support the CSU Institute for Palliative Care
June Sherron and Jack Schuster pledge $24,000 to support scholarships for Alliance Ambassadors
2015
January Year-long celebrations begin for CSUSM’s 25th anniversary
January Dr. Ann Bersi establishes a provision for an Endowed Chair, the first in University history, in Management
February The Jan and Esther Stearns Center for ACE Scholars Services opens with a $1M gift from the Stearns, supporting former foster youth at CSUSM
Spring Music Lab receives upgrade of 30 new, 88-key digital pianos with the help of Rick and Ann Hein
September Stuart Foundation pours $200,000 into Dr. Merryl Goldberg’s cutting-edge approach to arts education with the founding of Art=Opportunity
September Sports Center opens with support from founding sponsors Baker Electric Solar, Mission Federal Credit Union, Players Sports Grill, Tri-City Medical Center, Welk Resorts and Wells Fargo
September Forward Together is publicly launched as the campaign passes its midpoint with $26M raised to date
December First CSUSM Giving Day raises more than $15,000
December W.M. Keck Foundations awards $250,000 to the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center to support the American Indian digital media and culture project
2016
May 10th anniversary celebration of the naming of Markstein Hall
May The Janet R. Kellogg Estate provides $100,000 to enhance fan seating in the Sports Center
October Five local philanthropists come together to help CSUSM raise $150,000 to purchase a Steinway D Concert Grand piano
November Giving Day raises $184,118 with dollar-for-dollar match from a Foundation Board Director
December Darlene Marcos Shiley initiates support for the Doris A. Howell MD Award for Advancing Palliative Care, honoring doctors who have led the way in palliative care
2017
March STEM Summer Scholars program receives a nearly $75,000 grant from The San Diego Foundation to expand the pipeline of underrepresented students pursuing STEM degrees and career pathways
April Cougar Career Closet opens, providing students with free professional attire for job interviews
May Cal Fire Local 2881 provides $100,000 for CSUSM’s Wildfire Research and Education program to support public-safety research and education on wildfires and the wildland urban interface
July Hurley gives $25,000 grant to build out lab space at the surf flume, the only research lab in the world combining physiology and mechanics in surfing
July CSUSM becomes a full member of NCAA Division II and the California Collegiate Athletic Association, establishing rivalries with sister CSU campuses
July Malin and Roberta Burnham establish the Burnham Leadership Experience with a $225,000 gift to fund Senior Experience projects that enable local nonprofits to benefit from the talent and innovation of CSUSM business students
August The Epstein Family Foundation commits $1M to expand the Epstein Family Veterans Center and its services
August Brewchives™ launches as a special collection of the University Library with support from Stone Brewing Co.
September Jim Kuden, who funds the Jim Kuden Family Scholarship for business students, establishes a $100,000 charitable gift annuity to benefit veterans
October Carol Lazier and Jay Merritt host salon event to support ACE Scholars Services
October Estate gift from Janet R. Kellogg funds the building of biology greenhouse
November Giving Day raises $254,808, inspiring 595 donors to support more than 98 areas throughout campus
November Cougar Pantry opens with support from the David T. and Dorris E. Staples Foundation and the Rancho Santa Fe Foundation to address food insecurity among college students
December CSUSM closes the year with $10M in annual giving, a first for the University
December Hunter Industries makes $100,000 gift to fund a new engineering design lab
2018
January Viasat, together with several employees, invests $1.5M to become the founding partner of engineering
February National Latino Research Center receives $170,000 grant to support formerly incarcerated individuals with the aim of increasing students’ wellness and re-entry success
March Barbara Mannino and Syd Harris renew support to fund working scholarships for ACE Scholars
April CSUSM earns prestigious All-Steinway School designation
May The David T. and Dorris E. Staples Foundation provides support for supplemental instruction as well as the capstone funding for the All-Steinway School designation
June A donor-advised fund from the Jewish Community Foundation provides support for CSUSM’s Alliance to Accelerate Excellence in Education
June Annual gala raises more than $190,000 for student scholarships with a record number of gifts
July CSUSM awards $1M in private scholarships for the first time in a fiscal year
August Forward Together surpasses the total of all previous private fundraising combined
October The Epstein Family Foundation donates an additional $1M to support veterans, pushing the University past its $50M goal
November Ken and Carole Markstein fulfill their $5M pledge early
November Giving Day raises $448,955 in just 24 hours thanks to a dollar-for-dollar match from a Foundation Board Director
November CSUSM retiree Fox J. Russell makes $100,000 surprise donation on Giving Day to provide scholarships for female student athletes
December The grand total raised was more than $55M to prepare tomorrow’s leaders, build great communities, and solve critical issues