Fiscal Year 2024-2025

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Fiscal Year 2024-2025


San San Diego State University closed out 2024-2025 confident in our sustained success and motivated to continue our progress in the year to come. This past February, we earned R1 classification from the Carnegie Foundation — a central pillar of our 5-year strategic plan and an honor bestowed to fewer than 5% of American universities. This achievement comes at a pivotal time when higher education is facing unprecedented challenges to research funding, and yet, SDSU’s gifted researchers secured nearly $230 million in grants again this year for their inspirational projects to benefit the common good.
Our SDSU family has deepened our commitment to each other during this period, finding security and strength in our kind, dedicated, and resilient community. I am honored to navigate this landscape alongside cherished colleagues and donors, partners, and friends of the university. Our shared purpose not only elevates SDSU as a model for public higher education, but also nurtures the personal growth of our more than 41,000 students, empowering them to dream and achieve greatness on campus and beyond. Their stories of impact and positive change inspire us to forge ahead and create a brighter future for all.
Your generosity opens doors and ensures that SDSU remains a place where ambition is met with possibility. We are profoundly grateful for your partnership in building a legacy of discovery, innovation, and success.
Adela de la Torre, Ph.D. President San Diego State University
Announced February 13, 2025, SDSU received the prestigious R1 designation by the Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education, an honor reserved for doctoral-granting institutions with “very high research spending and doctoral production.” SDSU is among only 187 universities classified as R1 out of 3,941 universities evaluated — placing SDSU in the top 5% of institutions nationwide — and is the first campus in the California State University system to earn the recognition.
HispanicServing Institution (HSI)
R1: Very High Research Activity
Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPISI)

■ SDSU is the first institution in the California State University (CSU) to receive a prestigious W.M. Keck Research Program Grant for the College of Engineering project titled, “New Materials Processing via ElectoNano-Pulsing (ENP),” which could be transformative for aerospace, manufacturing, transportation, and numerous other industries.
SDSU is one of just 16 institutions nationwide recognized at the intersection of R1, HSI, and AANAPISI designations, underscoring its commitment to both high-level research and serving diverse student populations.
■ The university is one of seven institutions in San Diego to receive emergency support from a Prebys Foundation Grant aimed at defending the region’s world-class research sector by sustaining key biomedical research programs and retaining early and mid-career scientists.

2023-24 Fulbright awardee
Mele’ana Akolo also received the Fulbright-John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship in 2024-25, encouraging her to apply a human rights framework to her research on women with substance use disorder in Tonga.
▼ Recent graduates Mia Mangney and Robert Lang were awarded distinguished 2025-26 Fulbright U.S. Student Program scholarships to engage in academic programs abroad.




Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and newly-appointed Provost William Tong furthered his 40year commitment to the success of faculty, staff, and students by establishing the William G. Tong Scholarship Endowment for Athletics, his most recent of four endowed funds.
▲ The SDSU Evolve Student Housing project will provide a new residence hall as well as suite- and apartmentstyle housing to help meet the demand for cost-effective housing. Additionally, construction is officially underway on the joint student housing project between Imperial Valley College and SDSU Imperial Valley.

▲ SDSU won six conference championships in 2024-25, including men's golf and soccer, women's basketball and tennis, softball, and swimming and diving.

▲ SDSU began construction on a state-of-the-art sciences facility, including instructional and research labs, faculty offices, and collaborative space, furthering the university's commitment to train the next generations of sciences professionals.

▲ Fall 2024 marked an enrollment record at SDSU Imperial Valley, with an estimated 1,232 students enrolled, as the university continues to grow its degree offerings, research, and student support services, including the recently launched Student Wellness and Success Center and Guardian Scholars program.

▲ U.S. News & World Report’s latest Best Graduate School Rankings place the rehabilitation counseling program at No. 7; speech-language pathology program at No. 11; audiology doctoral program, offered in association with the UC San Diego, at No. 23; public health program at No. 27; nursing program at No. 50; and physical therapy at No. 50.

▲ The SDSU Oaxaca Center for Mesoamerican Studies continues to encourage transborder diplomacy, cross-disciplinary relationships, and binational cooperation through opportunities including international fieldwork, research, clinical internships, and community service.

▲ MAKE Farm at SDSU Mission Valley, a half-acre vegetable farm and educational garden, offers the San Diego community an opportunity to learn about locally grown produce, and sustainable agriculture practices, while providing SDSU students with unique volunteer opportunities.

Named for inaugural awardee
Ron Fowler, the Fowler Impact Award publicly recognizes and honors individuals who have made an impact at SDSU through comprehensive philanthropic contributions and service, aligning with the university’s core values, goals, and mission.



$142.1M













Pooled Endowment Market Value Surpassed $500M as of June 30, 2025



“ This has been a truly record-breaking year for generosity at SDSU, a powerful testament to the thousands of alumni and friends who not only believe in our vision but actively invest in it.”
- ADRIENNE VARGAS, VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY RELATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT


Donors displayed their unending support for our SDSU community by creating funds that ensure program and faculty success throughout campus for years to come. Below is a sampling of funds created over the past fiscal year that encouraged Aztecs to thrive in their educational and professional careers.
ARTS AND LETTERS
Aiming to increase exposure to the Korean language and culture through multiple channels, the Soonja Choi Director of Korean Studies Endowment provides support for student scholarships, program staff, the director, events, and more.
The Alba Gonzalez Thompson Endowment provides essential funding for the interdisciplinary Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education and its faculty, students, and research staff who share an interest in understanding, promoting, and improving teaching and learning in STEM fields.
The newly established Beavers Lecturer in Heavy Construction Endowment strengthens the J.R. Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program’s ties with the heavy civil construction industry and provides much needed support to engineering faculty.
COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
The Social Venture Challenge Fund supported pre-event programming and over $35,000 in prizes at the annual pitch competition, encouraging students from SDSU and Southern California community colleges and universities to identify a significant problem related to the impact of food security in our region and present an innovative solution.
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Del Mar Healthcare, Inc.
PROFESSIONAL STUDIES AND FINE ARTS SCIENCES
STUDENT AFFAIRS AND CAMPUS DIVERSITY
for Center for Excellence in Aging and Longevity
The Del Mar Healthcare, Inc. Fund for Center for Excellence in Aging and Longevity (CEAL) supports the launch and success of the program, which promotes healthy aging through collaboration with healthcare providers, government agencies, nonprofits, philanthropy, and education partners.
The goal of the Richard Anthony Marks Endowed Gallery Program Fund is to enrich the program and the educational experience of students through support for gallery improvements, art and design exhibitions, and visiting artists and designers.
Named for SDSU professor emeritus of geophysics, the George Jiracek Award in Geophysics Endowment will encourage students in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences to participate in educational experiences that will spur connections in and understanding of the field.
In an effort to enhance and expand workforce development initiatives provided by SDSU Career Services, the Alaska Airlines Career Services Fund will support programming focused on career readiness and employment outcomes for both prospective and current students.










$6.5M
Our SDSU family is forever in awe of the kindness donors display through their support of student scholarships. These transformational gifts impact the Aztec experience in the most profound ways, providing students the freedom to explore their interests, excel in their programs, and prepare for future economic success.
In Fiscal Year 2024-25, 43 endowed scholarships were established — these are just a few affecting students across campus:
In a generous effort to support International Security and Conflict Resolution majors, The Mother of Edward Y. Uechi ISCOR Endowed Scholarship for Study Abroad helps alleviate costs associated with the international experience requirement.
By supporting future special education professionals, the Lawrence and Opal Maletta Special Education Teachers Endowed Scholarship contributes to the preparation of compassionate, qualified educators dedicated to inclusive and effective teaching.
The Maria Trindade Endowed Scholarship offers support to students in the J.R. Filanc Construction Engineering and Management Program.
Available to students with financial need in the Fowler College of Business, the Jelinek Family Endowed Scholarship aims to decrease financial strains associated with higher education while preparing students for career success.
Created as a tribute to the Imperial Valley community and SDSUImperial Valley, the Michael W. Kelley Endowed Scholarship encourages students on their path to earning their degrees.
The Pack Foundation Endowed MFA Design Technology Scholarship will help graduate students gain the essential education, technical training, and creative experience to become highly regarded professionals in the field.
Both upper-division undergraduate and graduate students in the Department of Physics will find heartfelt support for their studies through the Eric Karl Spangenberg Scholarship Endowment.
The Transfer Student Opportunity Scholarship provides the promise of a better future for incoming students from community colleges.
Alizei De Leon graduated this past May with a B.S. in Accounting and minimal student debt, partly thanks to assistance from three scholarships, all named for the generous donors who endowed them in order to help students in need. These gifts allowed De Leon to fully focus on her education, campus job at the SDSU Cal Coast Student Financial Center, internships, and extracurriculars, which helped her land a fulltime, entry-level position at the biggest of the Big Four accounting agencies, Deloitte LLP.
Excerpt from “Easing stress and creating opportunity: The lifelong impact of donor support for scholarships” by Jeff
“Going into college, I knew that my parents would never be able to pay for it, so I had to find my own ways. It is so refreshing to see people have such an act of selflessness. You’re putting this money into your community. You’re putting faith into these students. To really invest in us, to believe in us, and I think that’s such a wonderful and refreshing thing to see.”
ALIZEI DE LEON, CLASS OF 2025
Susan and Stephen Weber Honors College Scholarship, Tanner and Aura Martin Endowed Scholarship, James E. Williamson and Francine J. Lipman Endowed Scholarship


“Being on scholarship connects me to something bigger than myself. I feel the strength of the Aztec community every time I step on the court, and I’m honored to carry that tradition forward.”
NAOMI, BUSINESS MAJOR Patti Roscoe Student-Athlete Endowed Scholarship

“Every day I am working to achieve my aspirations, the support and recognition this scholarship provides helps illustrate that I am following the right path in education.”
KEVIN, SOCIOLOGY MAJOR John O. and Mary L. Anderson Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Sociology

“As a future social worker, I want to help other individuals who have faced inequalities and help them improve their lives. With your financial support, I will achieve my career and professional goals.”
WENDY, SOCIAL WORK MAJOR Title V Scholarship

“Your support will help me achieve my academic and professional goals as I strive to enroll in a Ph.D. program in hopes of becoming a tenure track professor and researcher at an R1 institution.”
DAVID, GRADUATE STUDENT, SOCIOLOGY
Pitt and Virginia Warner College of Arts and Letters Endowed Scholarship

“Receiving this scholarship lightens the financial burden that comes with returning to school for higher education.”
LISA, ART AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION MAJOR, Ken Perry Endowed Scholarship
Scholarship support is vital to student success, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in educational and extracurricular experiences that pave a path toward graduation and career readiness. Donors who establish and contribute to existing scholarships possess the ability to positively alter the course of students’ lives.

“With your support, I will have more time to take full advantage of the opportunities SDSU has to offer and immerse myself in the institution I worked so hard to be a part of.”
KYRA, PSYCHOLOGY MAJOR Susan and Stephen Weber Honors College Scholarship

“Being awarded this scholarship relieves much of my stress about school and living expenses, allowing me to focus more on my classes and savoring my last two years at SDSU.”
JAYNA, STATISTICS MAJOR SDSU Alumni Legacy Scholarship

“With this scholarship, I can have a little less stress as I navigate my college experience as a first-generation student.”
SIRMAJ, AEROSPACE ENGINEERING MAJOR Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Program Scholarship

“This scholarship means the world to me and my family, as it has relieved us of financial stress and granted me passage toward a future full of endless capabilities.”
DORIAN, GEOGRAPHY MAJOR Dr. Kurt & Julie Bohnsack Memorial Endowed Scholarship

“The Fowler Scholars Program has opened doors for me that no other program has or could, and I can’t imagine my college experience without being a part of this incredible initiative.”
COOPER, BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION MAJOR Fowler College of Business Scholarship

“The knowledge that someone recognizes my hard work and dedication fuels my desire to make a meaningful contribution to the scientific community.”
NINO, GRADUATE STUDENT, BIOCHEMISTRY
Michael Edward and Ann Rosner Sixtus Endowed Scholarship in Sciences

“I am eternally grateful and will keep the origins of this scholarship close to my heart as I complete my educational journey at SDSU and enter the public health field.”
ANGELINA, GRADUATE STUDENT, PUBLIC HEALTH
Cynthia J. Hooker Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Our SDSU community comes together in countless ways throughout the year, displaying Aztec pride for our shared accomplishments across campus. When we stand side-by-side, we have an increased ability to conquer challenges and create opportunities for generations to come.


$489,000+ TOTAL RAISED
HIGHEST AMOUNT RAISED TO-DATE
$267
AVERAGE GIFT AMOUNT
(Excludes matching gifts)
1,350 TOTAL DONORS


The Ninth Annual SDSU Day of Giving was held March 12, 2025, and was a record-breaking success in raising funds for innovative programs, student support services, faculty excellence, and more — all thanks to 1,350 donors from 36 states nationwide.

Ana

For SDSU para track and field athlete Ana Firvida, a scholarship backed in part by the Day of Giving is more than just a source of financial support. Firvida was recruited to SDSU from out of state to join the Adapted Athletics program, where she is training as a 100m and 200m sprinter.
The Howard Family Scholarship, which generated more than $18,000 during the Day of Giving for adapted athletes with a GPA of 3.0 and up, "changed my whole future," Firvida said. "[The scholarship] was my only support, and without it I would not be able to go to college."







SDSU Loyal donors made a gift in each of the last two fiscal years, and once qualified, were recognized for their total years of giving to the university — some reaching over 50 years of support. Many members create endowments and contribute to capital campaigns, while even more make a difference through small yet pointed gifts. When combined with others, these thoughtful donations create a considerable impact on today’s and tomorrow’s Aztecs.
RECOGNIZED 4,196 INDIVIDUALS MEMBERS HAVE 34,688
TOTAL YEARS OF GIVING
CELEBRATED 384 DONORS WITH 30+ YEARS OF GIVING


In1970,NancyCarmichaelStewart,thenafacultymemberin thebotanydepartmentatSDSU,gave$15totheannualfund. Backthen,Stewart’sgiftwastheequivalentofmorethan$120 today.What’smostnotable,however,isthatshe’sbeengivingto SDSUeversince:tosciences,athletics,andadozenotherareas.
Thislongtimesupport—whichisn'tover—placesStewartin therarefied,uppermostlayeroftheSDSULoyalcommunity, celebratedeveryyearataspecialreceptionhonoringtheir dedicationovertwo,threeandfourdecades.OrinStewart’s case,morethanhalfacenturyandcounting.
Today,statefundingandstudenttuitiondon’tcomecloseto coveringtheuniversity’sbudget,soprivatefundingfromthe SDSULoyalcommunityisavitalformofsupport.
Excerpt from “SDSU celebrates former faculty member donor's half-century of support” by Je
The Aztec nation continues to provide transformational opportunities for our student-athletes, helping them succeed on the field and court as well as in the classroom and larger community. With donors and fans who are committed to student-athlete success, coaching excellence, and facility improvement, future student-athletes will continue to receive the holistic support they need to compete at the highest levels.
9
NINE SPORTS EARNED PERFECT NCAA ACADEMIC PROGRESS SCORES
3.29
HIGHEST AVERAGE GPA SINCE 1999
51
MALIK AWARD WINNERS ACHIEVED A PERFECT 4.0 GPA


404
SCHOLAR-ATHLETES
EARNED A SEMESTER OR CUMULATIVE GPA OF 3.0+
98%
GRADUATION RATE FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES WHO COMPLETE NCAA ELIGIBILITY


Following a successful 26 years in the Mountain West Conference, SDSU Athletics was invited to join the Pac-12 in the coming 2026-2027 season. The transition opens the door to partnerships, financial opportunity, and most importantly, the continued growth of Aztec student-athletes. Our quest to compete and succeed at the highest national level begins July 1, 2026. Go Aztecs!
96
In support of the men’s and women’s golf programs, the Jerry and Carolyn Davee Aztec Golf Practice Facility fund will aid in the construction of on- and offcampus amenities to prepare toptier teams in pursuit of national championships.
Aztec Baseball received its largest gift to date — benefitting the Men’s Baseball Excellence Fund and Baseball StudentAthlete Recruitment and Retention Fund — in support of sustained program and studentathlete success.

This past year, SDSU was transformed by visionary donors whose investments of $1 million or more are fueling our community forward. These extraordinary contributions are driving campus growth, advancing student success, elevating faculty research, and more — gifts that will shape the future of the university and those we serve for generations to come. We celebrate and honor these remarkable commitments, which expand opportunities today and ensure SDSU continues to thrive as a leader in public education.
■ Sparking leadership opportunities and career readiness, the PartrickClayes Center for Career Development Endowment ensures Fowler College of Business graduates enter the workforce poised for success.


▲ Stemming from a public/private partnership and bolstered by generous gifts from Aztec fans, the Men's and Women's Golf Facility Fund will construct practice facilities at the Farms Golf Club and on SDSU’s main campus to enhance the training experience for our talented student-athletes and strengthen recruiting efforts for both the men’s and women’s programs.
The Lemon Grove Tutoring Program, which encourages Lemon Grove youth to focus on and excel in their studies, will receive sustained support from the Ann and Jim Elliott Legacy Endowment — ultimately increasing the number of collegeready students from our neighboring community for generations to come.
■ The Capdevilla-Gillespie Global Innovation Endowment provides program participants in the SDSU Oaxaca Center for Mesoamerican Studies with life-altering experiences that encourage transborder diplomacy, cross-disciplinary relationships, and binational cooperation, ultimately shaping a better future for all.
▼ The Jessica P. Sarowitz Center for Guardian Scholars Endowment provides vital funding for the holistic and personalized support essential to the success of students who identify as former foster youth, wards of the court, and unaccompanied homeless youth.


Helping to position SDSU as a leader in nurturing groundbreaking ideas throughout our campus and regional communities, Techstars San Diego Powered by San Diego State University received additional support that will empower its next cohort, while the Angel Conference made its way to the SDSU Fowler College of Business, pairing angel investors with entrepreneurs.
▼ Thoughtfully established to encourage underserved student populations, the Gary Bezer and Lise Fleury Guardian Scholars Housing Fund bolsters the university’s ongoing efforts to support the wellbeing and success of Guardian Scholars students, the Gary Bezer and Lise Fleury PATH Academy Endowment empowers Guardian Scholars and Project Rebound business students in their quest for academic achievement and career readiness, and the Gary Bezer and Lise Fleury Project Rebound Endowment assists the university in continuing to provide an inclusive environment for previously incarcerated students, ensuring a positive transition into higher education.

▼ Bashor Field at Snapdragon Stadium continues to be a point of pride for our campus and the region at large, providing a top-notch home field for Aztec football, San Diego Wave FC, and San Diego FC — among other athletic events — while bringing joy and camaraderie to fans across San Diego and beyond.

■ Following the creation and impact of the James Silberrad Brown Center for Artificial Intelligence Endowment and the James Silberrad Brown Foundation Aztecs Going Pro Fund, support was extended to studentathletes through the Men's and Women's Golf Facility Fund, SDSU Women's Athletics Fund, Football Excellence Fund, and Football StudentAthlete Recruitment and Retention Fund and to students studying in the School of Theatre, Television, and Film through the James Silberrad Brown Foundation Endowment for Excellence in Musical Theatre
Providing the ideal environment for groundbreaking research and breakthrough discoveries, the Sciences Building Fund received pivotal funding to support the ongoing construction of a state-of-theart facility on SDSU’s Main Campus that will inspire the next generation of scientists.


Endowed chairs, professorships, directorships, fellowships, and lectureships play a vital role in attracting and retaining exceptional faculty at SDSU. These distinguished positions uphold our commitment to excellence in teaching and strengthen our focus on groundbreaking research. We deeply appreciate the generosity of SDSU donors who supported our progress toward becoming an R1 institution by making these faculty appointments possible.
■ Robert and Amy Abramson Endowed Professorship in Finance*
■ Accountancy Advisory Board Teaching Excellence Faculty Fellow Endowment*
■ AGC - Paul S. Roel Chair in Construction Engineering and Management
■ Terry L. Atkinson Endowed Professorship in Finance*
■ Beavers Lecturer in Heavy Construction Endowment
■ J. Keith Behner and Catherine Stiefel Chair of Brazilian Studies
■ Birch Endowed Chair in Geography
■ William and Karen Brack Endowed Professorship in Finance*
■ James Silberrad Brown Center Endowed Director
■ James Silberrad Brown Center Fellowship Endowment
■ William E. Cole, Sr. CPA Endowed Directorship
■ The Corky McMillin Center for Real Estate Endowed Director
■ Julie Dillon Endowed Faculty Fellow in Real Estate*
■ Eckis Seismology Chair Endowment in Geophysics
■ Jerald B. Elliott Endowed Program Fund for Investigative Journalism
■ Friends of Classics Endowed Professorship
■ Glazer Outstanding Lecturer Fellowship Endowment*
■ Goddard Family Faculty Endowed Fellowship in Auditing*
■ Fred J. Hansen Peace Chair
■ fred harris Endowed Chair in Digital Signal Processing
■ Fred Henry Chair in Life Sciences Endowment
■ Hanlon Endowed Chair in Health Services Research and Policy in the Graduate School of Public Health
■ Internet Privacy and Internet Data Security Endowment
■ Lang Endowed Professorship in Leadership Development*
■ William E. Leonhard, Jr. Endowed Chair in Civil and Environmental Engineering
■ MFA Musical Theatre Endowed Professorship
■ Nasatir Endowed Chair in the Lipinsky Institute for Jewish Studies
■ Vern Odmark Endowed Chair in the Lamden School of Accountancy
■ Thomas and Evelyn Page Dean of the Fowler College of Business*
■ Park Family Executive Director for the Institute for Transformative Education Endowment
■ Thomas G. Pine Endowed Professorship in Computer Engineering
■ B. Porteous Endowed Professorship in Political Science
■ Don Powell Chair of Scenic Design Endowment
■ Conrad Prebys Endowed Chair in Bio-medical Research
■ Qualcomm Endowed Professor of Mathematics Education
■ Qualcomm Endowed Directorship
■ Real Estate Professorship Endowment
■ Patti Roscoe Meeting and Events Professorship Endowment
■ Jim Ryan Chair in Construction Management Endowment
■ Sabin/Jones Endowed Professorship
■ San Diego Community Foundation Blasker Chair in Environmental Engineering
■ Richard and Susan Seiler Endowed Faculty Fellow in Taxation*
■ Dr. Sadanand Singh Endowed Professorship in Speech and Language Sciences
■ Friends of Classics and Barbara Schuch Endowed Postdoctoral Fellowship in Digital Classics and Humanities
■ Kit and Karen Sickels Endowed Chair in University Heritage and Community Engagement
■ Sprouse Endowed Professorship in the Fowler College of Business*
■ Stanford Endowed Chair in History
■ James J. Stansell Classics Endowment
■ Paul Clarke Stauer Endowment
■ Endowed Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Classics in Memory of the Stepsay Family
■ Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation Institute on Tribal Gaming Endowed Chair
■ Dennis and Elaine G. Szeto Endowed Professorship in Finance*
■ The Campanile Foundation Endowed Chair
■ USS Midway Chair in Modern US Military History
■ Van Deerlin Endowed Chair in the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
■ Ralph V. Whitworth Chair in Corporate Governance Endowment*
■ Zahn Professorship of Creativity and Innovation
■ Zahn Innovation Platform Chair Endowment

Donors like you are helping SDSU students reach new heights by encouraging personal growth, career readiness, and lifelong success. Your generosity is strengthening our community from the inside out, and we are deeply grateful for your commitment. Together, we will continue to build a brighter, more vibrant future for Aztecs everywhere.

