Over the past 12 months, Cal State San Marcos celebrated several fundraising milestones.

Last fall, the university publicly launched Blueprint for the Future, an ambitious campaign to raise $200 million in philanthropy and research funding. Today, the campaign has reached 84% of its goal thanks to the generosity of donors, alumni and community partners.

CSUSM also recorded its second-highest fundraising year in campus history, reflecting a growing culture of philanthropy across the university.

"Every gift creates a new opportunity for a CSUSM student," CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. "Our donors believe in the potential of our students and the power of higher education to change lives and strengthen our region’s economic prosperity. Their generosity is creating opportunities for social mobility today while shaping the future of our university for generations to come."

Building the Future of Engineering

The largest gift of the 2025-26 academic year, $10 million from Hunter Industries, ranks among the largest philanthropic contributions in university history. The investment builds on a decades-long partnership between the university and the Hunter family and will support the future Hunter Hall of Science and Engineering.

Opening in spring 2028, the 70,000-square-foot, three-story facility will feature advanced laboratories, a robotics suite and collaborative learning spaces designed to prepare students for careers in engineering and advanced technology.

Hunter Hall will expand CSUSM's engineering capacity, increasing enrollment from approximately 500 to nearly 2,000 students while enabling the launch of a new industrial and systems engineering program.

Leading the Nation in Social Mobility

Backed by $3 million in philanthropic support, the university will become home to the CSU National Center for Social Mobility, a hub for research, innovation and collaboration that will share evidence-based practices across all 22 CSU campuses and beyond.

The center builds on CSUSM's longstanding commitment to expanding opportunity. Earlier this year, CSUSM was ranked No. 1 in the nation for social mobility for the second time in four years by the CollegeNET Social Mobility Index.

Stewarding Donor Investments

The university also celebrated the continued growth of its endowment. This year, CSUSM earned systemwide recognition for investment performance, achieving the highest five-year rate of return among CSU campuses, tying for the top one-year return and ranking second in 10-year performance.

Fueling Research and Innovation

Faculty research is also advancing Blueprint for the Future. Physics professor Justin Perron is leading a three-year, federally funded initiative to give undergraduates hands-on training in quantum information science and technology. Additional funding is supporting research in mathematics, biology, mental health and public health.

Record-Breaking Giving Day

The momentum behind Blueprint for the Future extends far beyond transformational gifts. It is powered by thousands of alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends who believe in the promise of CSUSM.

That collective generosity was on full display during the university's most successful Giving Day to date. In just 24 hours, supporters contributed $828,397 through 2,444 gifts, setting a new university record. Alumni also continue to play an increasingly important role in the campaign, now representing 32% of all Blueprint for the Future donors.

A new building. A national center. Thousands of lives transformed. That's the vision behind Blueprint for the Future, and every gift brings CSUSM closer to reaching the goal to raise $200 million in philanthropy and research funding.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

Helmantoler had planned to major in speech-language pathology, but a part-time job leading art classes for children shifted her direction entirely. 

“I realized I loved working with a group of kids and creating that classroom environment,” said Helmantoler, president of the Future Educators Association (FEA), an organization for aspiring teachers at Cal State San Marcos. 

This week, Helmantoler will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies, and this fall she will begin a multiple subject credential program to teach transitional kindergarten. 

Her involvement in FEA has been supported by Project R.I.S.E. (short for Recruiting Inclusive, Supportive Educators), a CSUSM initiative aimed at strengthening Southern California’s educator pipeline.   

Jared Leeds is on a similar path, one he has envisioned since childhood. 

“I remember playing teacher when I was in kindergarten,” said Leeds, who is pursuing a single-subject credential in English and plans to teach literature to middle and high school students. 

“It’s an interest that has always stayed with me. There’s something profound about building trust with students and knowing you can make an impact, whether it’s big or small. It’s a fulfilling career path.” 

Project R.I.S.E. also has shaped Leeds’ experience. Through program events, he connected with high school students exploring teaching, as well as educators who shared their perspectives and career journeys. 

The initiative is generously funded by SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, which provided an initial $40,000 grant to launch Project R.I.S.E. last year and has since committed an additional $120,000 to expand the program. 

“Supporting future educators is an investment in the future of our communities,” said Kristin Crellin, senior vice president at SchoolsFirst FCU and a CSUSM Foundation Board director. “Programs like Project R.I.S.E. create pathways for students to become teachers who will make a lasting difference for generations to come.” 

With this investment, Project R.I.S.E. hosted 400 high school students and their teachers at the Future Educators Summit, offering 14 sessions ranging from student panels and campus tours to hands-on classroom activities. It also organized mock interviews with school administrators for CSUSM students and launched its first College and Career Readiness Summit, bringing together regional educators to co-develop pathways that better support students from high school through college and into careers in education. 

“SchoolsFirst FCU makes this work possible,” said Cassiopeia Guthrie, Project R.I.S.E. faculty fellow and Distinguished Teacher in Residence. “It allows us to create opportunities for students at every stage, from bringing high school students to campus to helping credential candidates cover essential costs like testing and certification fees, while helping build a more diverse educator workforce.” 

Support from SchoolsFirst FCU helps students like Helmantoler and Leeds become educators who will shape and inspire the next generation. It also contributes to CSUSM’s Blueprint for the Future fundraising campaign to raise $200 million in philanthropy and research funding.  

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

“You need to find something to stay active,” Tony said.

He picked up gardening, building raised beds as his first woodworking project since his youth.

“They were a little rough,” he said with a laugh, but now they harvest baskets of potatoes, carrots, onions, snap peas and more.

Even seeds that accidentally fell to the ground took root, turning into tomato vines. The Jacksons’ Fallbrook home also has avocado, citrus and pomegranate trees, along with native plants that Sue carefully manages.

It’s a fitting next chapter for a couple who always has put in the work.

Retirement also gave the Jacksons more time for philanthropy.

Tony first visited Cal State San Marcos in 2011, and one thing stood out to him immediately: a dedicated office for student veterans.

“That was impressive,” he said, “to see resources for a group with unique experiences.”

This would motivate him to serve on the CSUSM Foundation Board for 13 years.

Today, he and Sue continue to support student veterans through the Major General Anthony L. Jackson Veterans Endowed Scholarship. They also support ACE Scholars Services and men’s and women’s basketball.

Using QCDs Instead of Cash to Support Students

The Jacksons’ approach to giving recently evolved.

Tony had heard of qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) from individual retirement accounts (IRAs), but he didn’t take advantage of the strategy until last year.

“We love what CSUSM is doing and knew we were going to give,” he said. “QCDs were just the wisest way to do it.”

A QCD allows individuals age 70½ or older to make a distribution from their IRA directly to a nonprofit like the CSUSM Foundation. The distribution counts toward any required minimum distribution (RMD) but doesn’t count as income, thus avoiding income tax. That can help lower overall tax liability, reduce Medicare premiums and avoid certain income-based phaseouts. Individuals can give up to $111,000 per year this way, even if their RMD is lower.

Still, for the Jacksons, the strategy is secondary.

“I remember what it was like to be a struggling student,” Tony said.

As a former student-athlete on scholarship at San Jose State, he knows personally what a difference philanthropy can make.

“Sue and I have more than we need,” he said. “How can we share that and help the generations behind us? It’s the right thing to do.”

For the Jacksons, giving to CSUSM is about more than tax efficiency. It’s about investing in students, strengthening the community they’ve long called home and continuing a lifetime of service.

Interested in QCDs?

For information on QCDs and other tax-smart ways to give, contact P. Vien Walker, director of planned giving, at 760-750-8138 or vwalker@csusm.edu, or visit plannedgiving.csusm.edu.

Every contribution to CSUSM brings the university closer to its Blueprint for the Future campaign goal to raise $200 million in philanthropy and research funding.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Topping-out ceremonies are a long-standing construction tradition, typically marked by the signing of the final structural beam before it is lifted into place. At CSUSM, the moment carried deeper meaning, as it honored the university’s commitment to building new and accessible pathways for students in the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (CSTEM).

“I feel a deep sense of gratitude for the momentum that brought us to this point,” CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt said. “This facility is social mobility in action. It’s about providing access for students, many of whom are the first in their families to go to college, stepping into fields that are shaping the future.”

Built for Growth

Opening in fall 2027, Hunter Hall represents a significant investment in CSUSM’s trajectory as one of the fastest-growing campuses in the California State University system. Once complete, the approximately 70,000-square-foot, three-story facility will feature state-of-the-art laboratories, a robotics suite and collaborative learning spaces designed to meet the region's increasing demand for engineering talent.

Hunter Hall will allow CSUSM to expand engineering enrollment from 500 to nearly 2,000 students and launch a new program in industrial and systems engineering, building on existing offerings in electrical, software and computer engineering.

The expansion comes at a critical time for San Diego, one of the nation's fastest-growing technology and innovation hubs, where the need for skilled engineers continues to outpace supply. With eight in 10 CSUSM graduates remaining in the region after graduation, Hunter Hall is positioned to directly strengthen the local workforce pipeline.

A Transformational Gift

The project has been made possible in part by a transformational $10 million gift from Hunter Industries, one of the largest contributions in university history.

“It’s an exciting moment to see this building coming to fruition,” said Greg Hunter, CEO of Hunter Industries. “We’re proud to support a project that will have both a lasting impact on students and be a source of talent in our community.”

The gift has helped propel CSUSM's Blueprint for the Future fundraising campaign to 82% of its $200 million goal, underscoring broad support for a university dedicated to student success, social mobility and community engagement.

“Hunter Hall creates the conditions for the kind of collaboration our students will experience in their careers,” said Jackie Trischman, dean of CSTEM. “We’re grateful to Hunter Industries and other partners for making this possible and for helping us prepare our students to contribute to innovation across our region.”

For more information on funding and naming opportunities for Hunter Hall, contact Mike Helé, director of philanthropy, at 760-750-8401 or mhele@csusm.edu.

Media Contact

Brian Hiro, Communications Specialist

bhiro@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7306

Pending approval by the California State University Board of Trustees, the ISE Building will be named in honor of Hunter Industries, a San Marcos-based leading global manufacturer of products for landscape irrigation and lighting, dispensing technologies, and custom manufacturing since 1981. Construction began with a groundbreaking in July, and the building is scheduled to open to students by fall 2027. It will be funded through a combination of CSU systemwide funding and external contributions.

The ISE Building is critical to meet the growing demand for STEM education in San Diego County and Southern California, where regional industry needs have outpaced the production of qualified engineers and scientists. The building will allow the university to expand its enrollment of students in engineering disciplines from 500 to nearly 2,000.

CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt revealed the donation on Friday, the same day that the university publicly announced its $200 million “Blueprint for the Future” campaign, the most ambitious fundraising effort in its history.

“This gift represents an extraordinary investment in the future of our region,” Neufeldt said. “Hunter Industries has been part of CSUSM’s story since our very beginning, growing as we grew, believing in our mission and sharing a vision for the future. I truly cannot imagine a better partner to walk alongside us in this next chapter. This will have such a great impact for our campus and region – opening doors to higher education and preparing the next generation of highly skilled engineers and scientists.”

“An educated workforce is the foundation of a thriving economy,” said Greg Hunter, CEO of Hunter Industries. “We are proud to deepen our partnership with CSUSM and invest in a facility that will empower students, strengthen our community and drive innovation for decades to come.”

Long a visionary philanthropic partner of CSUSM, Hunter Industries is included on the campus founder's seal listing original donors from the school’s early years. The company has supported CSUSM through pivotal growth projects, including capital and programmatic contributions toward areas such as the College of Business Administration, University Student Union and the Clarke Field House.

Hunter Industries has championed CSUSM’s STEM programs, contributing to the creation of the Hunter Design Lab in the Viasat Engineering Pavilion, funding state-of-the-art physics laboratories and providing internships, mentorship and faculty support through its software development division. Today, Hunter is a model of corporate partnership in higher education and the largest private employer in San Marcos, employing many CSUSM alumni and interns.

With Hunter Industries’ gift, CSUSM’s “Blueprint for the Future” campaign is more than 70% of the way toward the $200 million goal. The campaign’s theme reflects both the physical growth on campus and the forward momentum building at CSUSM as one of the CSU system’s fastest-growing campuses. Founded in 1989, CSUSM serves 17,000 students and is proud to be ranked in the top 1% nationally for advancing social mobility. To learn more about “Blueprint for the Future,” visit the campaign website.

About Hunter Industries

Headquartered in San Marcos, Hunter Industries is a leading global manufacturer of products for landscape irrigation and lighting, dispensing technologies, and custom manufacturing. Founded in 1981, the family-owned company offers thousands of products, including a full range of water- and energy-efficient solutions for residential, commercial, municipal, agricultural and golf course applications. Hunter’s core mission remains unchanged: to deliver valued products and services backed by unwavering customer support. Learn more at hunter.global.

President Ellen Neufeldt joined CoBA Dean Ronald Ramirez, accounting professor Richard Hwang and members of the Du family in an Aug. 10 ceremony in the classroom.

“The Du family has deep ties to our university, and I’m so grateful for their continued support of our campus,” Neufeldt told attendees.

Through their family-owned company DDH Enterprise, Inc., the Du family have been supporters of CoBA since 2005. As part of the Markstein Hall building campaign, the Markstein Hall 344 conference room was named after the family patriarch, Xuong Du. The family has also made contributions in support of the CoBA Business Professional Development program and the accounting department.

Two family members are alumni of CSUSM – Kevin Du, the son of DDH CEO David Du, graduated in 2014, and Kevin’s wife, Trisha, was part of the Class of 2021.

“I know the Du family believes strongly in educational opportunity and helping the community, and their values certainly align with ours at CSUSM,” Neufeldt said. 

“Student success has always been a part of who we have been at CSUSM. Now, with the recent launch of our new strategic plan, we are doubling down with an ambitious mission to magnify opportunities even more for our students. The Du family’s generosity and partnership with CSUSM is helping us advance that mission.”

Media Contact

Eric Breier, Public Affairs Specialist

ebreier@csusm.edu | Office: 760-750-7314

The Stone Brewing Fund for Social Mobility will provide foundational funding to improve college access and success for students via avenues such as Student Affairs initiatives, college faculty mentorship programs and community outreach.  

Wagner is the chair of the CSUSM Foundation Board, and he and Laura are among the university’s most ardent community champions. 

“We are so impressed with the growth of CSUSM and what it has accomplished over the years, and we wanted to help out in any way that we could,” Wagner said. “The social mobility piece is important to us because one of the best ways to solve the inequity or inequality in our society these days is to help people who may not normally have access to a college education to be able to get there and succeed. And it’s not just success for them – it’s success for their families and, in CSUSM’s case, with 80% of graduates staying in the area, it’s success for our region and companies like ours, families like ours.”  

The Wagners structured their gift so that it’s both an endowment that supports long-term priorities and a discretionary fund that can be used by CSUSM President Ellen Neufeldt for immediate needs – needs, for example, that were exposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“This gift is transformational for us, our students and our community – it’s a tremendous investment in our collective future,” Neufeldt said. “I am grateful to Steve and Laura for their immense generosity and confidence in the mission of CSUSM. We are excited to leverage their investment to support and further enable the success of our students in earning degrees, leading to social mobility and economic prosperity for our entire region.”  

Among the ways that the social mobility fund could be deployed in the short term are to enhance the critical financial stability for existing student programs, to expand success programs to serve more students, to develop a comprehensive data management and analysis process to track outcomes and student progress, and to create multiple success programs for underrepresented student populations. It also will support an experiential leadership conference and social mobility symposium.  

“To say that Steve leads by example would be an understatement,” said Jessica Berger, CSUSM’s vice president of University Advancement. “His dedication to the success of our students today, through thoughtful mentorship and generous support, combined with his commitment to future generations of CSUSM students will have a lasting imprint. The magnitude of Steve’s gift underscores the tremendous impact that philanthropy will have in transforming lives.”  

Social mobility is an institutional pillar for CSUSM under Neufeldt, a nationally regarded expert in the subject. The university’s new strategic plan, which launched this semester, places student success at the center of the campus’ mission, with a vision to be a national leader in student social mobility.  

In some ways, CSUSM already is; for the last seven years, it has ranked in the top 5% out of 1,500 schools in the Social Mobility Index by CollegeNET, which measures the extent to which a college or university educates more economically disadvantaged students (with family incomes below the national median) at lower tuition and graduates them into good-paying jobs.  

About half of CSUSM students are underrepresented minorities, and at least 52% of graduates are the first in their families to earn a bachelor’s degree. One in nine students is a veteran, service member or military-affiliated dependent. CSUSM is also a major contributor of bachelor’s degree holders to the region’s workforce, with more than 80% of students remaining in the region following graduation.  

Wagner stepped into the role of chair of the Foundation Board last year, about a decade after he first joined the board. On CSUSM Giving Day last Nov. 30, he and board director Nathaniel Keifer-Wheals funded 23 challenge gifts and bonuses, fueling a level of competition that helped the university break its Giving Day records by raising $457,193 in just 24 hours.  

Steve and Laura Wagner also fund a music scholarship at CSUSM and School of Arts programming that focuses on underrepresented artists. And Wagner remains active in a professional mentoring program that he helped establish through the College of Business Administration.