Capital campaign raises $4.3 million
for School of Education and Human Development

by Tom Uribes

The School of Education and Human Development has announced that its capital campaign raised $4.3 million to support the school's quest to help prepare K-12 teachers.

Bud Richter, chair of the volunteer community steering committee that has raised the funds in the past few years, made the announcement at the school's recent "Celebration of Giving" dinner.

Dr. Paul Shaker, education dean, said that in addition to scholarships and technology equipment not supplied by state monies, part of the funds will be used to support a pre-teacher assessment program, a reading program, professional development, and the Early Education Center program.

The committee secured 274 donors, according to Richter, a retired businessman and long-time supporter of the university, who said that number is expected to exceed 500 once a proposed Wall of Honor to commemorate educators and mentors is completed by about the end of the year.

"What all these donors have done benefits our Central California quality of life," Richter told the donors at the Oct. 4 dinner. "Your money has funded necessary ingredients that enable the school to be a nationally recognized leader in teacher education and human development."

A special presentation was given to 23 donors - community individuals, organizations, and businesses - who contributed $10,000 or more. One of the largest donations has been a multimillion dollar estate gift from Drs. Benjamin and Marian Kremen. Benjamin Kremen was a Fresno State counselor education professor from 1950 to 1976 and a professor emeritus until his death three years ago. Marian Kremen gave the gift in her late husband's memory and was honored at the dinner.

Richter noted that the capital campaign enjoyed the unprecedented support of 97 percent of the education school's full-time tenured faculty, saying they more than doubled any such contribution by faculty in the CSU system.