Celebrating a Successful Year of Philanthropy

Cal State East Bay is celebrating its second-highest fundraising year in the university’s history, despite the current global COVID-19 pandemic. The university raised $15 million from nearly 4,200 gifts given by individuals and organizations, including the Stupski and Koret foundations.

This year’s totals also include the university’s single-largest gift from an individual, as alumnus Marvin Remmich (B.S. ’69, Business Administration), and his wife Susan made a $5 million gift toward the forthcoming Applied Sciences Center. The ASC will be home to the newly formed Green Biome Institute, the first program of its kind in the California State University and University of California systems.

In addition, the university’s Rising in the East campaign formally concluded on June 30, with more than $77.7 million raised for “People, Place and Purpose.”

The $4 million gift from the Stupski Foundation will support a holistic approach to advising that will focus on general education and major requirements and allow advisers to focus on issues such as housing costs and food insecurity, which may have a direct effect on student success. 

The university is developing a model network, entitled the East Bay College Agile Network, with a $350,000 gift from the Koret Foundation. The collaboration between Cal State East Bay and the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District will serve 43,000 students annually by leveraging and strengthening existing relationships and initiatives across the two systems, aiming to remove student success barriers. 

“By investing in our technological infrastructure, advising community and much more, we’re making significant investments in our students and their success,” said Provost Edward Inch. “These partnerships and changes will help our students navigate their academic pathways and succeed in completing their degrees.” 

In addition to gifts to support the Applied Sciences Center, the East Bay College Agile Network, and advising, donors generously supported respite funding for students impacted by job and housing loss due to COVID-19. The Presidential Pioneers Emergency Fund provided a total of $83,050 in one-time grants to students, funded in part by staff and faculty members, shifting their parking fees to provide upwards of $20,000 of funding to assist students in need.  

“I am grateful for the generosity of the greater Cal State East Bay community, which continues to provide resources to support our students, many of whom are facing additional pressures and needs,” said President Leroy M. Morishita. “Because of the dedication of individuals and organizations such as the Stupski Foundation and the Koret Foundation, we are well-positioned to help our students succeed at all stages of their learning.”