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Donor Stories

  • A masterful voice and her continuing legacyA masterful voice and her continuing legacy
    One word to describe the way California State University, Northridge distinguished alumna Shigemi Matsumoto ’68 (Music) conducted a Master Class on March 3 for vocal arts students is “masterful.”

  • CSUN Professor Establishes $1 Million Legacy at the UniversityCSUN Professor Establishes $1 Million Legacy at the University
    California State University, Northridge nutrition professor Terri Lisagor and her husband, Mark, will celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary this year.

  • More Than 40 Years Later, One Couple’s Bond to CSUN and Each Other Remains StrongMore Than 40 Years Later, One Couple’s Bond to CSUN and Each Other Remains Strong
    Stan and Phyllis Gilson have now been married for 43 years. Stan ’70 (Political Science) met Phyllis ’70 (Political Science), ’75 (Urban Studies), M.A. ’82 (Administration Supervision), at a fraternity party in the late 1960s.

  • CSUN Alumni Dennis and Carrie DeYoung Discover the Ease of Estate GivingCSUN Alumni Dennis and Carrie DeYoung Discover the Ease of Estate Giving
    Dennis and Carrie DeYoung love the San Fernando Valley. They've lived in the Valley their entire lives, first meeting while doing community service projects...

  • Alan JefferyAlan Jeffery
    Alan Jeffery ’65 (Psychology) steers his boat on Westlake Lake with the same steady hand that he developed while serving in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War.

  • Charity Begins at HomeCharity Begins at Home
    Ed Burke spent nearly four decades as an educator and as much time involved in politics, from the local to the national level.

  • President Harrison and Husband John Wujack Make a Planned Gift to CSUNPresident Harrison and Husband John Wujack Make a Planned Gift to CSUN
    With a recent gift to the university, California State University, Northridge President Dianne...

  • Dave and Cindi MaloneDave and Cindi Malone
    Dave Malone ’81 (Accounting) grew up in New York as a die-hard Yankees fan, with plans...

  • Al and Sherry LapidesAl and Sherry Lapides
    The story of Al and Sherry Lapides mirrors that of CSUN. When the university was being built in the mid 1950s, the young couple lived...

  • Bartley PorterBartley Porter
    When Bartley Porter graduated from San Fernando High School, he had two options: go to California State University, Northridge or take a job...

  • Dr. Richard and Ilona BurattiDr. Richard and Ilona Buratti
    Dr. Richard and Ilona Buratti's lives were transformed by education.

  • Richard SmithRichard Smith
    Named CSUN's 1991–92 Professor of the Year, two-time Distinguished Faculty Award winner Richard Smith was responsible for the care and development...

  • Jack and Mary BayramianJack and Mary Bayramian
    Mary Bayramian and Jack Bayramian's families both fled from Aintab, Turkey to escape persecution. Mary was actually born in Aintab and immigrated...

  • Jeanne AdamsJeanne Adams
    California State University, Northridge has been part of almost every aspect of Jeanne Adams' professional life. She first came to campus...

  • Earl and Karen EnzerEarl and Karen Enzer
    Earl and Karen Enzer met as California State University, Northridge freshmen at a Pi Kappa Alpha New Year's Eve party. They had each grown up...

  • Chris and Owen SmithChris and Owen Smith
    They were friends and colleagues. They were husband and wife. They were two California State University, Northridge graduates and longtime faculty members whom friends referred to as soul mates.

Gift Examples

  • Bequests
    Joe and Anna have been faithful supporters of our organization over the years. Both of them strongly believe that it is important to support and encourage our mission.

  • Reduce Your Taxes with an IRA Rollover Gift
    Margaret was a retired librarian. She had been an active volunteer and supporter of her favorite charity for many years. Margaret saw that her taxes were going up.

  • Tax-Free Sale
    Howard and Lynn were age 55 when they purchased some land outside of town, and they thought it would be a good investment that they could later sell.

  • Fixed Income for Retirement
    After working for decades as a pediatrician in a small rural town, Patricia was ready to retire.

  • Capital Gains Tax Bypassed
    Peter and Gail were nearing retirement. Over the years, with the help of their financial advisor, they made solid investments in securities.

  • Peace of Mind Gift Annuity
    Many years ago, Clara bought a home. Since she was so pleased with the home, she decided to buy stock in the company that built it.

  • Sale and Unitrust
    Gene and Carol purchased stock in a small medical service company several years ago. Now, Gene and Carol are looking for a way to save taxes.

  • The Retirement Unitrust
    Mary grew up on a farm. When her parents passed away, she inherited the farm. Now, several developers would like to build homes on the farmland.

  • Property Turns Into Income
    Miranda lived in the family home where she and her spouse had raised their children. After her spouse passed, Miranda found it increasingly difficult to care for her home.

  • Flexible Deferred Gift Annuity
    Lewis is a 54-year-old executive at a large healthcare company. He purchased company stock during years when the stock price was low, and now the stock has grown substantially.

  • Part Gift and Part Sale
    Susan and Kevin bought their first home many years ago. They had planned to build a second home so that their children could spend their summers along the lake.

  • Deferred Gift Annuity
    Several years ago Larry and Allison invested $30,000 in what they believed to be an attractive stock. It turned out to be a very wise decision.

  • A Bequest to Further Good Work
    Nancy and David were dedicated volunteers. Over the years, they had seen many individuals helped by the good work of their favorite charity.

  • Current Gifts
    As is the case with many families, there are times each year when Jim and Sharon focus their attention on gift giving.

  • Gift Annuity for Real Estate
    Jonathan purchased a home many years ago for $80,000. The home has appreciated substantially over the years and is now worth $420,000.

  • A Bequest to Save Taxes
    Thomas was a widower who had a great love for our organization. As an individual who had directly benefited from our work.

  • Leading for the Future
    Luke and Candice spent many years volunteering and supporting their favorite charity. They wanted to give back in a way that would help fulfill its mission.

  • Give it Twice Trust
    While visiting the Wills Planner on her favorite charity's website, June, a surviving spouse, came across the idea of a Give it Twice Trust.

  • Providing for Our Children's Future
    Joe and Kathy worked for years building their nest egg for retirement. They also want to provide for their children.

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