Donor Stories

‘Boldly Rising,’ an Ambitious new Fundraising Campaign

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.

Giving and Going Back to Humboldt

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.

First Endowed Professorship at Cal Poly Humboldt

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. 

Lumberjack Arena Court Renaming Effort Underway

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.”

Scholarship Honors Couple Who Lived Their Values

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. 

The Gift of Practical Plant Experience

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.  

Documenting the Past and Preserving the Future

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

Being a Student and an Agent of Change

She saw friends and family who were changed by the criminal justice system. They entered juvenile detention and left an angrier person.  Inspired by restorative juvenile justice, Destiny Turner

For the Love of the Land and Humboldt

As a kid, Aidan Mullin was never into super heroes. His interests lay in the outdoors. He went camping, hiking, and fishing. He also gravitated to science -- dirt and plants in particular.“He was

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Connie Stewart smiling

Living, Learning, and Leaving a Legacy at Humboldt

For Connie Stewart (‘88, Speech Communication), the executive director of Initiatives at Humboldt State University, the hands-on learning experiences at HSU helped make her into who she is today: an

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Pattie and Glen Atkinson, of Nevada, showing their playful nature wearing bunny and flower headbands.

Helping Aspiring Artists get the Supplies they Need

From the sides of city buses to book covers to murals, art is everywhere. “Art is about how it makes you feel and art is an important part of life,” says Pattie Atkinson. A professional artist who

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Jack and Diana McGurk standing in front of a bridge, next to a river

Helping Those Who Care for Others

Many nurses will tell you that nursing is a calling, describing their role as both advocate and protector, blending art and science in the care they provide.Jack McGurk (‘66, Biology) knows from