#TitansGive Donors Show Overwhelming Support for Titans in Fun-Filled Day of Giving
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From Australia to Anaheim, Titans came together March 9 to support student success during #TitansGive, Cal State Fullerton’s third annual day of giving.
The 24-hour online donation event raised a record-breaking $491,900 for the university’s “It Takes a Titan” campaign — roughly 8% more than in 2021. More than 1,960 donors from 49 states gave 2,263 gifts to help academic achievements and give back to the causes they believe in.
“We are sincerely grateful for the generosity that Titans demonstrated yesterday through #TitansGive,” said Greg Saks, vice president for university advancement. “With all that is going on in the world now, and all that we have been through together over the past few years, we greatly appreciate the continued commitment Titans have shown to the “It Takes a Titan” campaign and to helping students succeed.”
This year’s #TitansGive included a variety of unique giving challenges, matches and activities.
California Bank & Trust wanted to encourage all members of the Titan family to give, offering $10,000 for the university’s greatest needs if 500 donors participated between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The goal was easily accomplished.
Daily Titan students rallied to bring in 15 donors and unlock $1,000 provided by communications alumnus Marc Stein.
Winners of the PepsiCo challenges were:
Donor Challenge (area bringing in the most donors): Fullerton Arboretum
Ambassador Challenge (#TitansGive ambassador bringing in the most donors): Brooke Fessler Owens
Alumni Donor Challenge (area bringing in the most alumni donors): Alumni Association Scholarship
Faculty, Staff and Emeriti Challenge (area bringing in the most faculty, staff or emeriti donors): Center for Healthy Neighborhoods
For the first time, #TitansGive also included activities on campus. Around noon on Titan Walk, students were signing thank you notes for donors, and all were surprised when a flash mob with Tuffy and students broke out.
Throughout the day, as Titans contributed to the future success of students, many felt compelled to express their appreciation for the meaningful changes CSUF brought to their lives and explain why they wanted to give back:
“I would not have had the great career I had were it not for the education I received at CSUF. I support the Women’s Leadership Program because women are underrepresented within top leadership positions, and this program offers education and training to help overcome this challenge.”
– Liz Riede ’79 (B.A. business administration-finance)
“The education and opportunity I received from Cal State Fullerton has been such a life-changing experience. For me, a first-generation college graduate, education has always been really important, and I want each and every student to get the same education and experience and see future generations get the education they deserve. As they say, ‘Once a Titan, always a Titan’.”
– Luis Sanchez ’19 (B.A. Spanish)
“I was inspired to give to the Summer Reading Camp at the Center for Healthy Neighborhoods because I know how much the ability to read determines academic success. I struggled with reading as a child because my dyslexia went undiagnosed. Post pandemic — especially low income children from families where English is the second language — they are struggling so much.”
– C. Jessie Jones, professor emeritus of health science and director of the Center for Healthy Neighborhoods
“I like to donate to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry because I graduated from that department. My hope is that it will bring more opportunities for new graduates and newcomers.”
– Emdadul Khan ’94 (B.S. chemistry)
“Cal State Fullerton has contributed so much to my life. My masters degree opened the door to my career in nonprofit organizations. I worked on staff at CSUF for five years, which enabled me to get that degree, and connected me to Titan basketball, and music and theater. Most of the friends that I have now are friendships that happened during my years at Cal State Fullerton. How could I not make a contribution to the university that has given so much to me, contributed so much to my life, and to my career and my success? Many, many thanks.”
Carol Geisbauer ’80 (M.A. political science)
“I was inspired to give by the generous donors that came before me and supported me during my time at CSUF as a President’s Scholar. I love #TitansGive day of giving because it’s an opportunity to maximize and potentially double my individual contribution while also engaging fellow alumni to do the same. I have participated each year to support the PSAC Endowment Fund as well as my sorority, Sigma Kappa.”
Jennifer Rovira Ross ’95 (B.A. speech communication)
“I give to the Daily Titan and the Jay Berman Scholarship because the education I received at Cal State Fullerton’s communications department gave me a career in journalism that has been rewarding intellectually and financially. It’s important to pay that forward as much as possible.”
Terry Spencer ’88 (B.A. communications-journalism)
“My education at Cal State Fullerton contributed greatly to my success in the information technology consulting industry. I want to give back to the university so it will continue to have a positive impact on young adults. Go Titans!”
Gary Tait ’86, ’91 (B.A. business administration-management information systems, MBA business administration-management)
“So proud of my school, and I feel honored to have had the opportunity to achieve my dream of a degree from CSUF. Go Titans! A Titan forever!”
Michael Beaver ’79 (B.A. political science-public administration)
“I earned my M.S. degree in reading from CSUF in 1976. When I did my student teaching, I realized that not everyone was an accomplished reader. Thanks to CSUF, I was able to help those students.”
Gail McClain ’76 (M.S. education-reading)
University Advancement holds #TitansGive each spring. Visit the “It Takes a Titan” campaign website to learn more about how to be the difference in the lives of Titan students.
