Donor Stories

Kenneth Sanchez (‘84, Wildlife) loves saving habitats. He has been helping protect and restore habitats in the United States for over 30 years, and now with a bequest pledge made to Cal Poly Humboldt’s Lowell Diller Wildlife Memorial Scholarship Endowment, he will one day be able to help other Humboldt Wildlife students who are just as passionate about habitat restoration.

Thanks to a generous gift of $30,000 to the Matt Johnson Wildlife Trust fund from Zach Zachowski and Barbara Gabel, who own a vineyard in Napa Valley, the Cal Poly Humboldt Barn Owl Research Team has a new truck to conduct their research.

Many laughs, smiles, and gratitude filled the campus Great Hall during the Cal Poly Humboldt Scholarship Reception on May 4. The event gave student scholarship recipients a chance to meet and connect with donors who sponsored their scholarships and believed in them.

Brad Smith’s (‘71, Wildlife Management) favorite part about being a Wildlife major at Cal Poly Humboldt was the hands-on learning experience. He remembers heading to the redwood forest behind campus.

Cal Poly Humboldt’s inaugural Giving Day was an astonishing success as the Humboldt community came together and raised $140,638 in one day! Among the day’s numerous highlights, donors contributed to

The 24-hour campaign on Wednesday, April 5 will bring together students, alumni, parents, friends, and the campus community to raise funds for students and campus programs.

Eden (‘09, Nursing) and Michelle Donahue are giving back to the Humboldt community and to thank the nurses who have shaped their lives.

Rick Gardner (‘65, Psychology) remembers the day he was accepted into Cal Poly Humboldt. “I opened the mailbox and saw the letter from Humboldt. When I opened it, I went running to my parents to show

Cal Poly Humboldt legacy donors gathered Thursday, March 2 at Baywood Golf & Country Club for the inaugural 1913 Legacy Society luncheon, a celebration of those who have designated Humboldt in

For more than four decades, Robert Gearheart has been dedicated to understanding wetland systems and sharing his wisdom and passion with others. He’s reached hundreds of students over the years. 

To ease the financial burden for Cal Poly Humboldt students and honor her parents, Jennifer Keller established the Mary & Foster Keller Endowment in 2012. The endowment created the University’s first-ever Presidential Scholarship and awards student recipients $4,000 annually for four years.

The dozens of volunteers leading Cal Poly Humboldt’s first comprehensive fundraising campaign, Boldly Rising, have collectively given more than $5 million to the effort.

Cal Poly Humboldt announced today the creation of its first endowment to support an academic club.The endowment was created by donations from students, alumni, and supporters of Logging Sports.

Cal Poly Humboldt has publicly launched the most significant fundraising effort in its history, aiming to raise at least $50 million in support of students and campus programs. It’s called Boldly Rising: the Campaign for Cal Poly Humboldt.

Two highly experienced Silicon Valley executives announced today the launch of a Northern California nonprofit angel venture aimed at supporting a unique group of budding entrepreneurs: students,

Over the past year, Cal Poly Humboldt alumni and friends gave $14.3 million in gifts and commitments, by far the highest level of annual private support in the University’s history. The endowment

To Jacob Furgatch (‘82, Nursing), graduating from the Nursing program at Humboldt was about more than getting a bachelor’s degree. His Humboldt experience became the foundation for everything that came after – his wife, family, and a successful career.

Inspired by the Cal Poly Humboldt professors who played pivotal roles in his life, Dave Shaffer (‘67, Psychology, ‘68 M.A., Psychology) has made a generous gift that will support a Psychology faculty member. 

Coach Tom Wood built men’s basketball program into what it is today. To honor him and to support student-athletes, the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation and a group of community volunteers are working to raise at least $350,000 to rename the court inside Lumberjack Arena ”Tom Wood Court.”

To honor her parents’ commitment to environmental responsibility and to continue their tradition of giving to environmental causes, ” Sara Woodhull and her husband Craig Fuget have given $31,000 to establish the Joan G. and Joel Woodhull Memorial Scholarship fund. 

Cal Poly Humboldt’s Dennis K. Walker Greenhouse boasts one of the largest teaching collections of living plants in California. Now, thanks to a generous gift from the facility’s namesake, Professor Emeritus Dennis K. Walker (‘60, Botany), the iconic campus facility will get an injection of TLC this semester with funding to hire a permanent assistant manager.  

Inspired by their passion for Humboldt, history, and lifelong learning, Jerry and Gisela Rohde have made a transformational gift to the Cal Poly Humboldt Library and its Osher Lifelong Learning

The Humboldt State University Library has  received a generous gift that will support students and their success for years to come. Gus and Corky Nordstrom were longtime supporters of the University

At the start of each semester, students face an intimidating list of price tags including tuition, housing, and groceries or a meal plan. For many, the cost of new textbooks is the last straw. Some

In a year marked by incredible challenges, the Humboldt State University community rallied together to generously support students with scholarships and new opportunities. Over the course of the year