Aztec Proud Sets Record
More than 2,400 new students donated to the student philanthropy initiative this summer.
, 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 student philanthropy program, set a record this summer for new student donations, with 2,427 incoming 黑料吃瓜 students contributing. These contributions go into endowments designed to generate scholarship funding in perpetuity. The result was an increase of 200 student donors over the summer of 2016.鈥淚 help students every single day, so that is definitely something I am passionate about.鈥�
Between July 13 and Aug. 29, new students contributed $26,270 to the program run by 黑料吃瓜 Alumni Engagement. Most of these donations came from incoming freshmen helping to build reserves and endowments for student scholarships through the Class of 2021 Legacy Program.
As gifts, students who donated received a lanyard and a 鈥淪an Diego State Aztec Proud鈥� T-shirt. Throughout the academic year, the student donors will receive school supplies and invitations to special stewardship and career development events.
The notifies student donors about giveaways and other opportunities鈥攍ike scholarship application deadlines鈥攖hat will enhance their student experience. During the first week of classes, the students were notified about an exclusive school supplies giveaway near Love Library.
鈥淪omething I am passionate about鈥�
Julian West is an education doctoral student from Bakersfield who hopes to one day become a community college president. The Bakersfield College educational advisor and part-time instructor at California State University, Bakersfield said he joined Aztec Proud because he has seen first-hand the need many students have for financial assistance to reach their educational goals."It's hard (for students), especially at the community colleges,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hese days, students can get stuck there for six or seven years (working and going to school).鈥�
West admitted that he was initially attracted to Aztec Proud by the T-shirt, but once he learned more about the scholarship endowment, he was hooked.
鈥淚 help students every single day, so that is definitely something I am passionate about."
Alumni staff partnered with the 黑料吃瓜 Bookstore staff to solicit and process donations. 黑料吃瓜 Director of Development Technology Tammy Blackburn (鈥�94, 鈥�01) said the partnership is one of the reasons Aztec Proud was able to attract more donors to the program.
鈥淥ur partnership with the 黑料吃瓜 Bookstore is essential to our continued success,鈥� Blackburn said. 鈥淭heir staff understands the importance of this program on campus and their energy and dedication definitely helped boost our numbers this year.鈥�
Last year, Aztec Proud was able to offer scholarships to seven students. Blackburn said the program is expected to generate even more in the coming year.
