The annual donor recognition event introduced the Red and Black Society for SDSU donors.
SDSU President Stephen L. Weber (right) speaks with SDSU donor and alumnus Ralph Pesqueira.
During SDSU’s first Annual Donor Recognition event more than 85 of SDSU’s most generous philanthropic supporters received an update on how their gifts are being used to transform SDSU.
The event was held the evening of May 4 in the ballroom of the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.
Introducing the Red and Black Society
Mary Ruth Carleton, SDSU vice president of University Relations & Development, said that as San Diego State’s fundraising efforts mature and become more sophisticated, we are evolving our leadership annual giving societies into the new Red and Black Society.
The society will recognize the efforts of the Aztec family who make annual gifts of $1,000 or more to SDSU during each academic year*.
Aztecs in the Dominican Republic
The event featured a presentation by Scott Minto, director of SDSU’s Sports MBA Program, and several Sports MBA students.
The program used a 2009 grant from the President’s Leadership Fund as seed money to establish a partnership with the San Diego Padres. Since then, the partnership has blossomed.
Sports MBA students and faculty are now collaborating with the Padres to enhance the quality of life for people living near the Padres new training facility in the Dominican Republic. Plans are also being made to expand these efforts to other Major League Baseball teams operating in the Dominican Republic.
Thanking donors for their support
SDSU President Stephen Weber thanked donors for their support and said their collective efforts are institutionalizing philanthropy at the university.
“As San Diego State continues its ascent to become one of the nation’s top urban research universities, we must attract students and faculty members of the highest caliber, who will bring their talent to bear on the pressing urban issues we face both as a nation and world,” Weber said.
Last year, SDSU received a total of $60 million in private gifts and pledges—ranking it 9th amongst California universities for philanthropic support.
* For more information about SDSU’s Giving Societies, click here (opens PDF).