Division Update to University Senate

February 24, 2020
The following is the most recent update on University Advancement that was shared with the University Senate. These reports are shared once or twice each month. If you have suggestions for items to include, you can email Frank at frank@humboldt.edu.

University Advancement
Submitted by Frank Whitlatch, VP for University Advancement

Recent updates and successes

● Donors continue to make major commitments in support of the University’s new nursing program, the RN to BSN, which is scheduled to open in Fall 2020. Most recently, Sutter Coast Hospital committed $200,000.

● The HSU Foundation recently committed $150,000 over three years to support cultural programming on campus. The programming, overseen within the Division of Enrollment Management, will be designed to support retention and graduation of diverse student populations at HSU.

● Donors and boosters are working to establish an endowed basketball scholarship in honor of the late Tom Wood, who led Humboldt’s men’s basketball program for 29 years. The scholarship will support both male and female athletes.  Joyce West, a longtime supporter, announced an initial gift of $100,000 from herself and family members.

● Stanley Harris, who passed at the age of 91 late last year, left a legacy at HSU that will last in perpetuity. The retired Wildlife professor and his wife Lorene endowed three scholarships over the years: The Stanley W. Harris Scholarship and the Lorene J. Harris Scholarship for undergraduate students, and the Stanley W. and Lorene J. Harris Scholarship for graduate students. Since the original creation of the Harris’ scholarships, more than 45 students have benefited.

● The HSU Foundation has created the 1913 Legacy Society to recognize those who have designated HSU in their will. Their generous spirit continues the legacy of private support that helped create Humboldt State in 1913.

Organization and planning

● The Advancement Division is undertaking a significant reorganization in order to enhance efforts to raise major gifts and build capacity to support the University’s first comprehensive campaign. This involves reallocating resources from support areas in order to add new Development Officers.

● The HSU Foundation is finalizing an agreement with an outside firm to conduct a campaign feasibility study. This study will explore donor interest and capacity, potential priorities, and organizational readiness. It will be completed by mid-summer.

● The HSU Foundation allocated non-state funds to support statewide advocacy for Proposition 13, the school bond measure on the March ballot. It joined with auxiliaries at other CSU campuses, and allocated $10,000 to the effort.

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