Jack and Charlene Liebau have established the Marie Jacobs Liebau, Class of 1929, Endowed Scholarship for Teaching at Cal Poly Humboldt as a testament to their deep commitment to education. In addition, they have made an annual contribution to provide current funding for grants to students. This scholarship honors Jack’s mother, Marie Jacobs Liebau (‘29, Education), who after graduating from Humboldt went on to dedicate her life to educating young minds.
Jack and Charlene’s inspiration for this scholarship stems from their lifelong belief in the power of education.
“We’ve come to the point in our lives where we are thinking about our legacy,” Charlene says. “We wish to honor Jack’s mother while supporting students pursuing a career in teaching.”
Recognizing the financial challenges many students face, the Liebaus hope that this scholarship will ease the burden of student debt and encourage more young people to enter the teaching profession.
Marie Jacobs Liebau was born in Albion, a small coastal town near Mendocino. To pay for college she worked, in her words, “as chief cook and bottle washer” at the Albion Hospital and lived at hospital administrator Dr. McKinnon’s family home near Humboldt’s campus in exchange for room and board, embodying the resilience and determination that would later define her career. After earning her bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate, she began her career in education, initially teaching before pausing to raise a family. Later, she returned to the classroom, spending many years as a middle school math teacher in Santa Rosa. She was known for her ability to connect with students of varying skill levels, making math relevant by incorporating practical applications such as interpreting stock market pages and racing forms. Her passion for teaching left a lasting impact on her students and her community.
Jack’s own journey in education began in Santa Rosa, where he attended high school before earning his undergraduate and law degrees from Stanford University. His career spanned law, business, and the management of major thoroughbred horse racing venues, including Bay Meadows Racetrack, Golden Gate Fields, Santa Anita and Hollywood Park. Charlene, originally from Long Beach, attended UC Berkeley before earning a master’s degree in counseling and higher education from Stanford. She dedicated her career to academia, serving as Dean of Admissions at Occidental College and Caltech before launching her own educational consulting practice.
Both Jack and Charlene credit their success to the value of education instilled in them by their families. “Education is critical to our democracy,” Charlene emphasized. “It shapes informed citizens and provides opportunities for growth.”
Their shared appreciation for education, combined with their understanding of the financial barriers many students face, led them to establish this scholarship in Marie’s name.
Beyond honoring her legacy, the Liebaus hope their gift will inspire future generations of educators. “Teaching is a noble profession. It’s not driven by financial rewards but by a calling to educate and shape the future. We want to support those who choose this important path,” Jack says.
Through their generosity, Jack and Charlene ensure that Marie’s passion for teaching lives on, helping aspiring educators achieve their goals and continue the vital work of shaping young minds for generations to come.
Join Jack and Charlene in supporting students and honoring legacies. To learn about how you can give to help Cal Poly Humboldt students, visit giving.humboldt.edu, call (707)826-5200, or email giving@humboldt.edu.