special supplement
Sacramento State On the Rise
University sets sights on continued excellence and growth
by Ken Smith
Sacramento State is on the cusp of celebrating its 75th anniversary , but the administration ’ s eyes are focused squarely on the future rather than its past .
“ We want to give our students state-ofthe-art opportunities ,” says vice president for University Advancement Lisa Cardoza . “ We ’ ve seen Sacramento State become a shining beacon in the community .”
The capital city ’ s anchor university welcomed its first class of 235 students in 1947 on the grounds of Sacramento City College ( then known as Sacramento Junior College ). It wasn ’ t until 1951 that the campus moved to its current 305-acre site along the American River where lush hops fields and peach orchards had once stood .
Today , Sac State serves over 31,000 students . It has evolved from a commuter school into a respected destination university that draws a diverse and dynamic student body from around the world .
The university is currently in the midst of its first comprehensive fundraising program , an eight-year effort entitled “ On the Rise ,” with the ambitious goal of raising $ 225 million by 2023 . Over $ 195 million in donations have already been received since the campaign began in 2015 .
“ This campaign has always been about providing better services for students and endowed professors here ,” Sac State President Robert S . Nelsen says , noting that there are now three endowed professorships at the school , including one that focuses on the science of happiness . “ That seems to fit Sac State ,” he says .
Another tangible success of the On the Rise campaign is the Ernest E . Tschannen Science Complex . The five-story ,
2021 | comstocksmag . com 15