Donor Stories

Learn how others have made an impact through their acts of giving to our organization and others.

Gift Honors Professor's Family, Profession
Gift Honors Professor's Family, Profession
A legacy for a loved one, financial help for students and support for multilingual education. The potential for this win-win-win situation persuaded Nadeen Ruiz and husband Bob Thiele to establish a Charitable Gift Annuity with Sacramento State in the name of Ruiz's late father.
More
Alumna's Gratitude Benefits Future Teachers
Alumna's Gratitude Benefits Future Teachers
The late Nancy Pierce Owens ('58, Education) was thankful for her Sacramento State education. And in her handwritten will—in which she left her entire estate to the University—she said just that. Literally.
More
Donor Profile: Hazel Cramer
Donor Profile: Hazel Cramer
When Hazel Cramer was a young woman growing up in the Midwest, she wanted to go to college. But, because she was supporting herself and therefore could not go to school full time, she was told no. That experience helped shape Ms. Cramer's support of Sacramento State.
More
Donor Profile: Colette and Jerry Coleman
Donor Profile: Colette and Jerry Coleman
As the first person in her family to go to college, Colette Coleman felt a special bond with her speech pathology students who were also first-generation. After retiring from Sacramento State, the former professor and her husband, Jerry, established a scholarship to help make it easier for those students to achieve their dreams. The Colemans are also members of the Legacy Circle, which honors those who have included the University in their estate plans.
More
Donor Profile: Francine Kozkodin
Donor Profile: Francine Kozkodin
Turning a tragedy into a tribute, Francine Kozkodin ('62, Education) keeps the spirit of the daughter she lost too soon alive through a scholarship at Sacramento State funded through a Charitable Gift Annuity.
More
Donor Profile: Earline Ames
Donor Profile: Earline Ames
During her 36-year career at Sacramento State, Earline Ames was described by colleagues as a "tough, straight-shooting educator," and a "vibrant leader" with a "forthright communication style." She was also a generous supporter of her University. The estate gift from the former associate vice president for Academic Affairs Earline Ames contributed $300,000 to the Earline L. Ames Scholarship to benefit students studying to become teachers.
More