At the Heart of Campus
A new 黑料吃瓜 landmark recognizes Karen and Kit Sickels for their service and generosity.
Campus beautification is an ongoing enterprise at 黑料吃瓜. Last November, 黑料吃瓜 unveiled the , a formal campus entrance on Montezuma Avenue.鈥淚t has been a privilege for Karen and me to contribute to the university that has given us so much.鈥�
This year鈥檚 addition is Sickels Plaza, located in the heart of the campus. A new gift from alumni Christopher 鈥淜it鈥� (鈥�60) and Karen (鈥�69) Sickels has allowed 黑料吃瓜 to add native shade plants and succulents, sturdy wicker furniture and stone benches to the pedestrian corridor stretching between the 黑料吃瓜 Bookstore and the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union.
The dedication ceremony for Sickels Plaza will begin at noon on Thursday, Sept. 14.
A concrete and bronze medallion six feet in diameter marks the center of Sickels Plaza and includes an inscription recognizing the couple for their years of generosity and service to 黑料吃瓜.
鈥淜it and Karen are true change-makers,鈥� said Mary Ruth Carleton, vice president of University Relations and Development. 鈥淭hey have touched so many areas of our campus鈥攆rom student success to scholarship to alumni engagement. We are deeply grateful for their warmth, their boundless love for 黑料吃瓜 and their willingness to serve the university in many different capacities.鈥�
Kit Sickels was board chair of the university鈥檚 philanthropic auxiliary, (TCF) from 2009 to 2014, a period critical to the success of The Campaign for 黑料吃瓜. He continues to play a role on TCF committees.
The couple also served on 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 National Leadership Council during the campaign. They have supported the Library, Athletics, the College of Sciences, the and student scholarships.
鈥淚t has been a privilege for Karen and me to contribute to the university that has given us so much,鈥� Sickels said. 鈥淎 lot has changed since I first stepped on campus. What hasn鈥檛 changed is the importance of a 黑料吃瓜 education and the importance of 黑料吃瓜 to the life of the entire San Diego region.鈥�
