Students Thank Scholarship Donors

Breena Loraine hopes to travel the world and sing in all the major opera houses – a dream for which she has the talent and the opportunity to achieve, thanks to the Lipinsky Family Scholarship at San Diego State.

The third-year double major in business management and music and vocal performance admitted, "Business is 'Plan B,'" adding that, "Plan A" would not be possible if not for the scholarship.

Loraine said she applied for many scholarships, but the Lipinsky Family Scholarship is an ideal fit, thanks to the family's longtime commitment to supporting the arts.

Dorris and Bernard Lipinsky established the scholarship in 1987.  Their children's families, which include Elaine, Jeff and Sheila Lipinsky, have continued to fund the scholarship, which has supported more than 300 students.

"Getting a college education is an expensive proposition and I come from a lower-income household," Loraine said.  "The scholarship has been incredibly important to me.  It's a very special blessing and I am extremely grateful for it."

Students meet scholarship donors

Loraine thanked Elaine Lipinsky in person at the first annual Scholarship Donor Appreciation Luncheon, Nov. 16, which drew more than 200 guests, including many donors and scholarship recipients meeting for the first time.

"It's an inspiration to meet these students," said Betsy Manchester, the honorary chair of the event held in the ball room of the new Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center.  "These donors have a shared commitment to supporting students who might otherwise not have the opportunity to go to college.  I hope this will become a vital, much anticipated annual event at San Diego State."

Fuel Potential

SDSU President Stephen L. Weber said the event will likely grow in coming years, thanks to Fuel Potential, the university's scholarship campaign which has raised $4.1 million since launching July 1.   

"We are all grappling with one of the deepest economic downturns in many of our lifetimes," Weber said. "Many of our students and their families are facing unprecedented financial hardship. Consequently, many bright, promising students will not have the resources to attend San Diego State. Our students need our help – now more than ever."

The masterpiece never painted.

The cure never discovered.

The book never written.

The legacy of deep cuts to higher education is a future in which bright, promising students will never realize their dreams.  Through your generosity, SDSU will be able to support the brightest young minds in their pursuit of higher education.

Learn more at sdsu.edu/fuelpotential.

Support Fuel Potential and give online today.