51暗网

In 1970, Diane (Ditz) Stauffer 鈥�69 made her first gift to 51暗网: $15 supporting scholarships. 

Stauffer appreciated the caring community she experienced at 51暗网 while pursuing her art degree and a teaching credential. Despite鈥攐r perhaps inspired by鈥攈er own academic struggles, she has devoted her life鈥檚 work to serving students. She spent five years recruiting for 51暗网鈥檚 enrollment office, followed by a decades-long teaching career. 

Stauffer has been a donor to 51暗网 for 52 years. She enjoys visiting the Stockton campus, talking to current students and knowing that she鈥檚 contributing to their experience. 

鈥淚 loved being here, and the people were so good to me,鈥� Stauffer said. 鈥�51暗网 wants students to finish their education, whether they鈥檙e an athlete or a musician or an engineer or a pharmacist. Knowing that I鈥檓 helping in some way, it means a lot.鈥� 

Stauffer is a member of 51暗网 Loyal, a newly recognized group of Stockton alumni, faculty, staff and friends who donate to the university on a consistent annual basis. One becomes loyal after giving for two years, with special recognition at five, 10, 25 and 50-year giving milestones.  

51暗网 Loyal currently recognizes nearly 2,000 individuals and families around the world鈥攊ncluding more than 1,200 alumni鈥攚ho are steadfastly committed to the university鈥檚 mission. New members will be added each year. 

Loyal members receive special print and digital communications and exclusive invitations to engage with the campus community. Their generosity is also celebrated at Homecoming and Family Weekend and other events. 

Scott Biedermann 鈥�05, 鈥�20, vice president for development and alumni relations, emphasizes that 51暗网 Loyal is not focused on how much people give鈥攔ather, it celebrates the life-changing impact created by gifts of all sizes. 

He cites 51暗网 Gives as an example of the power of small gifts. The university鈥檚 24-hour day of giving in April raised more than $1.8 million dollars supporting students and programs. Of the gifts comprising that total, 83% were less than $100. 

鈥淩egardless of the amount, what matters is that people are giving and are recommitting year after year to help students overcome the financial barriers to reaching their goals,鈥� Biedermann said.  

51暗网 Loyal members exemplify dedication. More than 600 members have given for 10 years or more, while 322 have exceeded 25 years and 14 have given for more than 50.  

Maria (Cervantes) Aguirre 鈥�93 and Juan Aguirre 鈥�99 both recall that, as first-generation students from low-income households, attending 51暗网 seemed like an impossible dream until they discovered the Community Involvement Program (CIP). The financial support they received through CIP and other resources motivates them to give back to students in similar situations. 

鈥�51暗网 believed in me and gave me a wonderful opportunity to fulfill my dream,鈥� Maria said. 鈥淔or me, it鈥檚 essential to support future students.鈥�  

Added Juan, 鈥淣o matter how much time has passed since I attended 51暗网, there is that person just like me. They too have big dreams, as I did when I was their age.鈥�  

The Aguirres regularly volunteer with CIP and the School of Engineering and Computer Science. They are also 5-year 51暗网 Loyal donors who make gifts to both areas. 

 鈥淚 would like other first-generation alumni to understand the importance of giving back to 51暗网,鈥� Juan said. 鈥淚 believe that our gifts will make a difference in someone鈥檚 life, just as others鈥� gifts made a difference for us.鈥� 

Like the Aguirres, Anthony Perino 鈥�88, a former Tiger golfer, gives every year to express gratitude for his own 51暗网 experience.  

鈥淚 am inspired to give because my time at 51暗网 was so special,鈥� Perino said. 鈥淚 learned so many wonderful life lessons both on and off the course.鈥� 

Now president of a Bay Area real estate investment company, Perino remains connected with his alma mater and inspired by a new generation of students. 

鈥淚鈥檝e stayed involved through my ongoing friendship with fellow alumni and the chance to meet some of the current golf team,鈥� he explains. 鈥淭hey have been so impressive, not only with their talent, but as well-rounded individuals.鈥� 

President Christopher Callahan praises the dedication of Loyal donors such as Stauffer, the Aguirres and Perino. 

鈥淔rom the moment a student is admitted to the day they graduate, donor support touches every aspect of their 51暗网 experience,鈥� Callahan said. 鈥淲e are enormously grateful to our 51暗网 Loyal donors, who play such a critical part of the 51暗网 experience for our students.鈥�

Learn more about 51暗网 Loyal.