Raising Support for Campus Programs

Raising Support for Campus ProgramsHelping raise awareness and support of valuable University programs and scholarship funds, three recent fundraising events, Art In Your HEART!, Cougar Scramble, and First Gentleman's Disc Golf Open, shared great success thanks to the generosity of Cal State San Marcos supporters.Art In Your HEART!On October 30, artists, educators, and art enthusiasts gathered at CSUSM for the third annual Art In Your HEART! event hosted by Center ARTES to help fund the delivery of art education programs to K-12 schools throughout the county via the ARTSmobile, a mobile classroom.The afternoon event began with a welcome reception and art gallery showcasing works from both CSUSM students and children from Maryland Elementary in Vista. Following the gallery viewing, the evening continued with an awards presentation and campus studio tours. Among the evening's honorees selected for their significant contributions to the arts were education philanthropist and art enthusiast Bob Mangrum for Arts Philanthropy, artistic director of Orchestra Nova San Diego Jung-Ho Pak for Artistry, and the Escondido Union School District for Arts Education. Special recognition was also given to Tressie Armstrong, principal of Kelly Elementary in Carlsbad, for her role in bringing art to her campus as a healing and empowering tool for her students following their school's shooting.With a $3,500 incentive matching grant generously provided by the Fox Foundation, Art In Your HEART! raised more than $14,000, with a running total still counting."Supporters can still contribute to this amazing cause," added Center ARTES Executive Director Merryl Goldberg. "All donations go directly to funding the ARTSmobile, where it only costs one dollar per child to provide an arts education activity. Through the support of this program, we are ensuring that the children of North County San Diego have access to an education that includes the arts."To make a donation to support the ARTSmobile, visit www.csusm.edu/centerartes/Donate/index.html.Cougar Scramble Supports Student-AthletesCal State San Marcos Athletics and the CSUSM Alumni Association teamed up on Tuesday, November 9, to host the third annual CSUSM Cougar Scramble golf tournament, raising more than $40,000 for student-athlete scholarships.Presented by TaylorMade and featuring former PGA Tour Pro John Schroeder, the annual tournament was held this year at The Crosby, a scenic 18-hole, par 70 golf course nestled in the hills of Rancho Santa Fe. The picturesque backdrop provided a unique experience for the sold-out field of 144 golfers.In addition to the game, participants enjoyed a silent auction, which featured a pair of four-day patron passes to the upcoming Farmers Insurance Open and four tickets to the Poinsettia Bowl. A scholarship auction also raised an additional $9,000 to support student-athlete scholarships."The tournament was a tremendous success because of the hard work and cooperation of many Cougar supporters and staff," Athletic Director Tom Seitz said. "The funds from the event will go toward athletic scholarships to allow us to remain competitive in recruiting quality student-athletes to CSUSM."Disc Golf Open Benefits Former Foster YouthIn celebration of the University's 20th anniversary, 50 professional and recreational disc golfers joined First Gentleman Jim Mickelson for the inaugural Disc Golf Open, benefiting ACE Scholars Services on Friday, October 29, and Saturday, October 30."The combination of professional disc golf players and newcomers to the game, playing on the California State University San Marcos new disc golf course, created a lot of excitement," Mickelson recounted. "Everyone was incredibly supportive of our ACE Scholars, who are young adults coming out of the foster care system eager to make a better life for themselves through education." Despite the threat of rain, the clouds cleared for an exciting tournament. Demonstrating strong skill and steadiness, San Diego Aces President Jeff Nichols earned title of Grand Championship, winning the Open Division with a two-round score of 86, an impressive 24 under par. Following the Saturday game, players enjoyed a catered lunch hosted by Mickelson and President Haynes and a silent auction, which included a trip for two to San Francisco, as well as a one-hour airplane flight with San Marcos Mayor Jim Desmond.