Donors Give More Than $160,000 for HSU Scholarships at Investiture Dinner for Jackson

HSU students Ana Cortes (left), Benicio Benevides-Garb (center), and Jesse Bowling (right) shared how scholarships supported their college dreams.  [Photo provided by HSU]

Donors gave more than $160,000 to support Humboldt State University students at a fundraiser last night. Money raised goes directly to HSU student scholarships and programs.

Sponsored by the Humboldt State University Foundation, the event at the Ingomar Club capped off the Investiture celebration formally welcoming HSU President Tom Jackson, Jr., who began his tenure last June.

“Tonight is really about the students that we serve,” Jackson said at the fundraiser, stressing the impact of scholarships on student success. “So I thank everyone in here tonight for your willingness to support our students throughout the North Coast.”

About 200 people attended the dinner, including HSU students and alumni, community members, California State University Chancellor Timothy White, four CSU presidents (including CSU Bakersfield President and Humboldt State alumna Lynnette Zelezny) and former HSU President Rollin Richmond.

Guests made gifts to student scholarships and programs throughout the evening. One of those scholarships is the Humboldt First Scholarship. Created in October, these funds will provide all first-time freshmen who have graduated from HSU’s local service area a renewable, automatic scholarship of $1,000 per year.

Local HSU students and alumni who have benefited from the generosity of donors spoke about how scholarships impacted them.

History major Jesse Bowling said scholarships are helping him achieve his dream to return to his alma mater, Eureka High School, as a history teacher. “I want to give back to the high school that gave to me,” he said.

Manolo Morales (‘05, Political Science), who now chairs the HSU Foundation Board, spoke of his own experience. The scholarship he received when he was at HSU helped him buy his first suit, which changed the trajectory of his life. He said, “without that ability to dress professionally, … without that scholarship, I don’t think I would be here today.”

Special guests included recently retired Humboldt Women’s Rowing Coach Robin Meiggs and her husband Scott Heller. In November, they made a $250,000 gift to create the Robin A. Meiggs Rowing Scholarship Endowment.

Donor and HSU alumnus Dan Phillips, who is now the Chief Technology Officer at the online streaming service Hulu, was also on hand. Last fall, he and his wife Cindy created the Dan & Cindy Phillips Fortuna Scholarship to support Fortuna High School graduates who go on to attend HSU.

To give to student scholarships and programs, please contact the HSU Foundation at (707) 826-5200 or [email protected].

In a separate press release, HSU Described the Presidential Investiture Ceremony:

The Investiture ceremony, on January 15th, began with a Presentation of Colors by the US Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay and Wiyot blessing, and featured remarks from city managers, a student, alumni, and more.

The President highlighted relationships with local residents, tribal communities, and student veterans during his welcome address.

“Humboldt is an amazing place with special people,” Jackson said. “It is a place filled with pride. It is a place filled with caring faculty, staff, and students. … When the redwoods whisper there’s a peace, a silence, a moment of command that overcomes us. When the ocean roars, we are reminded of our place—its power and our sustainability. However, when the redwoods whisper and the ocean roars, there’s Humboldt. An amazing place where our students’ dreams come true.”

Chancellor White and CSU Trustee Lillian Kimbell presented the Presidential Medallion to President Jackson. The Presidential Medallion is a symbol of President Jackson’s responsibilities to the University.

Defined as the “act or ceremony of conferring the authority and symbols of a high office,” an investiture is an academic ceremony in which a new leader is “vested” with the official powers of office. The investiture provides an opportunity to welcome a new chapter in a university’s history and celebrate as a community.

The installation of a new president is a ceremony of dignity with many academic traditions and protocols. It includes an academic procession of delegates from other colleges and universities as well as the institution’s own faculty. Marchers wear the colorful academic regalia of their own institution. Interspersed with musical selections, the event includes greetings from members of the university community.

At a fundraiser dinner after the ceremony, more than $160,000 was raised to directly support HSU student scholarships