Finals and Holidays are coming! Please note the Library's special hours in November and December

University Library Endowments

The University Library’s endowments, stewarded by the CSUN Foundation, provide permanent funding for our collections and other critical areas.  Some donors establish subject endowments to enrich our diverse collections, while others focus on specialized interests.  The opportunity awaits you to fund an existing endowment, join with others to start a new endowment, or establish a commemorative endowment to memorialize a loved one or special area.

The gift of a broadly directed endowment is another valued option to support a wide variety of needs in the University Library.  Every contribution directly impacts student success at CSUN, which is a priceless investment.

This endowment supports the processing, digitization, and preservation of materials in the Old China Hands Archive and other materials donated by the Gohstands.

In 2009, Professor Emerita Bonita J. Campbell of the CSUN Department of Manufacturing Systems Engineering and Management established an endowment to "facilitate both the participation of women in science and engineering, particularly those fields in which they are insufficiently represented, and the development and preservation of knowledge about women in the science and engineering disciplines." Learn more about the Bonita J. Campbell Endowment for Women in Science and Engineering (WISE).

Funded by Dr. Bonita Campbell, this endowment supports annual scholarships to the University Library's student assistants who are majoring in the STEM fields. Learn more about the Bonita J. Campbell Women in Science and Engineering Student Scholarship Endowment.

This anonymous endowment honors the legacy of deceased or retired librarians at CSUN, and supports stipends for library school interns in Technical Services (CAMS). Learn more about the CSUN Librarians Legacy Endowment.

This endowment is a milestone for the California State University system, CSUN, and the University Library. It will support an Endowed Librarian who will oversee collection development as the bibliographer for the TCC in the University Library, for multiple departments in the Michael D. Eisner College of Education, and for related disciplines in other colleges on the CSUN campus. The Endowed Librarian will deliver information literacy instruction, research consultation, and outreach to students and faculty in the field of education and related disciplines that use the resources of the TCC. The Dr. Karin J. Duran and Richard Nupoll Education Librarian will also be known as the TCC Librarian. Learn more about the Dr. Karin J. Duran and Richard Nupoll Education Librarian Endowment.

Funded by Richard Nupoll and Mara Houdyshell, this endowment supports the purchase of materials for the Teacher Curriculum Center (TCC) Collection at the University Library. Learn more about the Dr. Karin J. Duran Teacher Curriculum Center Collection Endowment.

Given in loving memory of Faith Conragan Gohstand, this endowment supports the purchase of Library materials in art, design, and gardens.

Jack and Florence Ferman left a substantial bequest to CSUN of $2.5 million which created two separate endowments. One endowment supports the acquisition of rare books, archival collections, and supplies for Special Collections & Archives at the University Library. The second Ferman endowment supports the expansion of the physical space of Special Collections and Archives, or other “special” collections, or special exhibits in the University Library. For more on the Fermans, see Thanks and Recognition: Jack & Florence Ferman.

Dr. James Cleary was the second president of California State University, Northridge. This endowment was funded by the children of James and Mary Cleary to honor their memory and provide an annual scholarship for students at CSUN.

Funded by Librarian Emerita Kris Ecklund, this endowment supports a stipend for a library school student to work as an intern in the reference and instruction department (RIOS) in the University Library. Learn more about the Kris Ecklund Internship Endowment.

Librarian Emeritus Kris Ecklund established the Lisle Wenberg Library Disability Services Training Endowment as a way to honor deceased Librarian Emerita, Lisle Wenberg, who was a leader in supporting the research needs of all students regardless of their “ableness.” Kris was inspired to assist students at the University Library facing disability challenges and to honor Lisle Wenberg, a dedicated librarian who gave her best for decades. The Lisle Wenberg Library Disability Services Training Endowment will provide University Library employees with additional professional development trainings in order to best support the needs of CSUN students with disabilities. Learn more about the Lisle Wenberg Library Disability Services Training Endowment.

Funded by the Associate Dean Emerita of the University Library, Marianne Afifi, this endowment supports the purchase of music materials for the Library collection. Learn more about the Marianne Afifi Endowment.

This endowment supports the purchase of Library materials related to local flora and fauna, along with materials related to hiking.

This endowment supports a scholarship for Library student assistants.

Funded by Martha Robinson, retired staff member in the University Library, and her late husband Gerald Robinson, this endowment supports the purchase of materials for the Library related to tourism and recreation.

Distributions from this endowment provide the University Library with funding for materials and media on the meaning and significance of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and how the amendment allows Americans the opportunity to enjoy their right to the freedom of speech. Learn more about the Milt and Debbie Valera Endowment.

This endowment will support the purchase of books and other materials on Russia, as well as programs which will stimulate interest in, and study of, Russia and its civilization. Bob is also donating his personal collection of books related to Russia and the Soviet Union, along with many valuable posters and other ephemera.

Created by Bob and Maureen Gohstand, this endowment supports the enjoyment of the quiet pleasures of reading and a collection of works intended to encourage reading for recreation and pleasure, for an appreciation of good and exciting writing, for introspection and insight, and for the acquisition of general knowledge. Learn more about the Robert and Maureen Gohstand Leisure Reading Room.

Ron Purcell was a faculty member for many years in the Music department at CSUN, specializing in guitar. He founded the International Guitar Research Archives in the University Library, and this endowment supports a student fellow each year to work in the Archives and promote the preservation of primary source materials in this field. Learn more about the Ronald C. and Elizabeth-Ann Purcell International Guitar Research Archives Endowment.

Created in loving memory of Sharon Fogarty by her sister, Patricia Fogarty, this endowment supports the purchase of children’s literature in the University Library. Learn more about the Sharon Fogarty Endowment.

Funded by Dr. Susan Curzon, Dean Emerita of the University Library, this endowment supports the University Library in a wide variety of ways. Learn more about the Susan Curzon Endowment.

This endowment, funded by the Rare Book Curator Emeritus of the University Library, Tony Gardner, is for the purchase of library materials printed on hand or operated presses with fine or hand bindings. Learn more about the Tony Gardner Endowment.

This endowment supports two annual scholarships in memory of Lois and Ralph Prator. (Ralph Prator was the first president of CSUN, formerly known as San Fernando Valley State College). The endowment also supports one annual scholarship in memory of Mary and James Cleary. (James Cleary was the second president of CSUN). This scholarship will be presented to an international student assistant who is attending the University on a student visa. Learn more about the University Women's Club Endowment.

Created by the late Vern and Bonnie Bullough, former faculty at CSUN, this endowment supports the study of sex and gender through the purchase of library materials, student scholarships, and an annual speaker series. Learn more about the Vern and Bonnie Bullough Endowment.

Funded by Virginia Elwood, Librarian Emerita and former head of Special Collections and Archives in the University Library, this endowment supports an annual scholarship for a student employed in the Library. Learn more about the Virginia Elwood Student Scholarship Endowment.


This endowment supports the purchase of Library materials related to women's issues, nutrition, and physical therapy.

The Gardner Research Fellowship Endowment provides an annual fellowship for an enrolled CSUN student in any course or degree program which requires intensive research using primary sources, rare books, or unique materials found in the Library’s Special Collections and Archives.

The Special Collections and Archives Scholarship Endowment provides an annual scholarship to an enrolled student in any course of study who has worked in and supported the efforts of the Library’s Special Collections and Archives.

The Yolanda and Jeff Heller Endowment was established in memory of Yolanda’s late cousin, Raul E. Aragon, Jr., an alumnus of CSUN and the University’s Educational Opportunity Program Assistant Director. The Endowment will support the purchase of books and other materials in Music Performance and Composition, Child Abuse Studies, and Holocaust Studies for the University Library. Learn more about the Yolanda and Jeff Heller Endowment.

This endowment, donated by Louise Lewis in honor of Mark Stover, primarily supports programs and exhibitions featuring speakers on the topic of American Indian Studies, with special focus on the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians, and that those speakers and topics be chosen by the University Library in consultation with the CSUN American Indian Studies program and the leadership of the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians. The endowment may also provide funds for the purchase of Library materials in American Indian Studies.

Scroll back to the top of the page

Last Updated: 08/01/2024