President’s Circle: Jay and Karen Halverson Jay and Karen Halverson spent years moving all over the world while Jay worked on massive construction projects such as dams, electric plants, locks and bridges. When they decided to make Sacramento their home base 27 years ago, they also decided to embrace their hometown’s university. Jay worked as an adjunct professor in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, teaching a class in construction management each spring. Jay and Karen took part in campus cultural offerings and sporting events. They served on boards and committees. And though neither is a graduate of Sac State, they were the first supporters to join the President’s Circle, a group that provides critical private support to the University and counsel to the President. “One of the frustrating problems at this turn in life is there are so many charities out there, and they all want your time and your money,” Jay says. “When it comes to charitable giving, we think education should be one of the first to give to. “We chose the President’s Circle because there needs to be a source of discretionary funds that doesn’t count on state support.” The Halversons are also proponents of faculty development. As a member of the industry advisory boards for the College of Engineering and Computer Science and the Construction Management program, Jay encourages industry leaders to support it as well. “When funds are available for companies to take faculty to their next conference, or to pay into the Dean’s discretionary fund for recruitment, it all supports faculty development.” Though they’ve settled in Sacramento, the Halversons continue to travel through a home exchange program. The couple also represented the University as part of one of the first academic exchanges between American and Chinese Universities, spending a month in Nanjing. » Back to contents