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Steve Dolan
SDSU Marketing & Communications
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SDSU Sets Record with $52.7 Million in Philanthropic Gifts

SAN DIEGO, Thursday, September 19, 2002 - While private gifts and donations to a majority of universities have declined over the past year in connection with the economic downtown, San Diego State University received a record $52.7 million in philanthropic support in 2001-2002, up 25 percent from the prior year's $42.1 million.

Approximately two-thirds of this amount was given to directly support the university's academic and community programs, with the remainder going toward KPBS and Athletics.

Theresa M. Mendoza, vice president for University Advancement and CEO of The Campanile Foundation - the university's philanthropic foundation for securing and managing private gifts - credited SDSU's fund-raising success to a combination of factors.

"It begins with President Stephen Weber's and the Campanile Foundation's commitment to increasing philanthropy," Mendoza said. "The efforts of the faculty and professional staff, along with the increasing public recognition of the quality of San Diego State University, have strengthened the university's relationships with our alumni and donors, even during these stormy economic times."

Mendoza emphasized that SDSU, like other major, urban public universities, is increasingly dependent on both private support and publicly funded research grants to achieve its academic mission. Currently, tax dollars represent only 35 percent of SDSU's annual operating budget. Tuition and fees contribute another 17 percent.

Increasing private support is crucial as SDSU expands its educational programs and implements new projects that address regional and global issues, Weber said.

"Our donors are investors in our efforts to educate and train students to become leaders, to address unmet needs and make other contributions that ultimately benefit the region and the world at large," Weber said. "Their assistance greatly enhances the impact our university and our students can make."

Among the recent gifts:

· Hospitality and Tourism Management: The Norman Brinker Fund of the Communities Foundation of Texas gave $200,000, the first gift toward establishing the $1 million Norman Brinker Executive in Residence Program. In addition, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation pledged $275,000 to help fund the Conrad N. Hilton Distinguished Lectureship Series in Hospitality and Tourism Management. The HTM program aims to produce future tourism leaders for this region and worldwide locations.

· Entrepreneurial Management Center: Qualcomm Incorporated is in the middle of contributing a $3 million gift to the EMC, payable over a three-year period. Students will soon have the opportunity to specialize in one of four "areas of interest," each affecting regional entrepreneurial activity: technology commercialization, service-sector entrepreneurship, social entrepreneurship and venture financing and private equity. The EMC celebrated its 15th anniversary in July.

· Construction Engineering and Management: The San Diego Chapter of the Associated General Contractors (AGC) has secured $1.2 million in cash and pledges to launch SDSU's Construction and Engineering Management (CEM) program, the first of its kind in Southern California. San Diego-based Roel Construction showed its support by pledging $500,000 to help drive development of the CEM program into high gear.

San Diego State University is the oldest and largest higher education institution in the San Diego region. Founded in 1897, SDSU has grown to offer bachelor's degrees in 78 areas, master's degrees in 62 areas and doctorates in 14. SDSU's more than 33,000 students participate in academic curricula distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an increasing international emphasis that prepares them for a global future. For more information log on to www.sdsu.edu.

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