By Melissa Benton |Staff Writer|
The gift of giving benefits not only those who receive, but those who give as well.
Gift planning or donating money to CSUSB brings joy to those who gladly give to the university.
Many donors have donated large sums to CSUSB to help aid the school in many ways.
One couple, Mark and Lori Edwards, have set up a family trust fund to help aid foster youth to continue into higher education.
The $656,000 gift will help undergraduate students from foster care receive additional financial aid and participate in targeted workshops, cultural activities and other opportunities as well.
“This gift will be a tremendous boost to our effort to identify, recruit and support these young adults who typically do not have strong social support systems,” said Dr. Milton Clark, dean of undergraduate studies.
The Edwards started this trust fund because their son was in foster care before they adopted him. They stated that most foster youth do not continue on in their education because of the lack of a support network.
Their hope is that this trust will help and encourage more fostered youth who would not have any realistic chance of receiving a higher education.
Betty Barker, the co-chair of CSUSB’s fundraising campaign for the Palm Desert campus, knows how important money is for education.
Barker approached CSUSB about donating to the Palm Desert campus through a charitable gift annuity.
The gift annuity would allow Barker to donate her money and assets to the school, while CSUSB paid a fixed income to Barker for the remainder of her life.
“I’ve come full circle. I’m now on the other side as a donor to the campus and I’m thrilled that I’ve been able to do it this way,” said Barker.
Glenn and Judy Rymer believe they owe so much to CSUSB after spending more than 80 years combined, with the school.
The Rymers met at CSUSB in 1970 when Judy was a Spanish teacher and Glenn was a sociology student. They were married a year later.
Judy continued teaching and then rose to faculty posts in the School of Education. She then took a leadership role and chair in the Faculty Senate.
She eventually became executive dean of the new division of University Relations and became CSUSB’s first vice president for University Relations.
After graduating from CSUSB, Glenn was active as an alumnus serving on the Coyote Athletics Association Board.
The Rymers’ ties with CSUSB led them to include the school in their estate plans to benefit both scholarships for student athletes and teaching credential candidates.
“We felt it was important to include an institution that had been so vital to us and to so many people I’ve had the good fortune to work with as students, alumni and colleagues,” said Mrs. Rymer. “We know what a difference the University makes to the region and we continue to be proud to be associated with it.”
Students and faculty continuously benefit from donations made by donors like Barker, the Edwards and the Rymers.
Also, many buildings have been built or expanded on campus due to donations including: Jack H. Brown Hall, Santos Manuel Student Union, the Murillo Family Observatory and many buildings on the Palm Desert campus.
There are many different ways to donate money to CSUSB and determine whom or what they will help.
To learn more information on donating to CSUSB visit http://csusb.giftlegacy.com.
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