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College Wide Fund
College of Natural Science & Mathematics Annual Fund
This discretionary fund supports high-priority needs across all departments in the College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics. Gifts provide flexible resources for student research projects, laboratory upgrades, conference travel, and other initiatives that enhance science and math education beyond what state funding can cover. This fund empowers the Dean to invest in innovative programs and opportunities benefiting students and faculty college-wide.
The Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program
The SURE Program provides paid summer research opportunities for NSM undergraduates to work closely with faculty mentors on real-world projects. By alleviating the need for a summer job, SURE allows students to focus fully on research, strengthening STEM retention and graduation rates.
The Hedda and Thomas Smithson SURE Award
This award provides philanthropic support to undergraduate students in the College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics while they conduct research with a faculty member through the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program. This award supports the costs of employing one or more students to conduct research within their field of study.
The Edward L. Wheeler SURE Award
This endowed award provides support for undergraduate chemistry students going through the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE) Program. This endowed award was established last year by Susan Wheeler in memory of her late husband, Ed Wheeler, to honor his passion for chemistry and lifelong dedication to science.
Ed’s exposure to college Chemistry was an example of how he approached life. As a freshman at Montana State University in 1962, he was on his way to declare an English major when he passed by the Chemistry Department’s table. They offered him a $100 scholarship to study chemistry—a significant sum at the time—and he made a spontaneous decision that ultimately defined his career and life’s work.
Later, during graduate studies at UC Berkeley, a professor recognized his potential and encouraged him to apply himself more fully. That moment of mentorship gave Ed the motivation he needed to thrive academically. He went on to earn a graduate degree in chemistry from UC Berkeley and began a distinguished career with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. His research focused on cancer and on improving the cultivation of resilient grains such as amaranth and quinoa.
After nearly two decades with the USDA, Ed transitioned to the private sector when he was recruited by Nabisco, prompting the Wheeler family’s move from Albany, California to Fairfield, New Jersey. Susan used to tease him about his shift from cancer research to “cookie chemistry.”
Through this award, Susan hopes Ed’s story will continue to inspire students to pursue the study of chemistry with curiosity, determination, and heart. Thanks to her generous endowment, Ed’s legacy will live on, supporting the next generation of scientists for years to come.
NSM Student Travel Fund
Recognizing that attending professional conferences is crucial but costly for students, this fund helps cover travel expenses for NSM students presenting research or participating in academic competitions. It removes financial barriers so that talented students from all six departments can showcase their work and learn from industry leaders without worrying about cost.
Science Complex Fund
This fund supports the Ernest E. Tschannen Science Complex, Sacramento State’s state-of-the-art science facility. Donations help maintain and enhance the complex’s modern teaching labs, research centers, and the planetarium, ensuring students and faculty have cutting-edge resources for discovery and education.
Dr. Jane Bruner Scholarship for Academic Excellence: Biological Sciences
This scholarship supports top juniors majoring in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or Clinical Lab Science. It recognizes outstanding academic achievement and helps students prepare for graduate study or careers in the biomedical field.
Jo-Ann Bulf Memorial Scholarship
Josephine Ann (Jo-Ann) Bulf was a dedicated administrative assistant for nearly 25 years with the College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics. In 1997 she was diagnosed with cancer. For the next two years, she was in and out of treatment while continuing to work. Her beloved colleagues donated 1,000 hours of their sick leave—the most ever raised—to help her when she was too ill to work. Throughout her life, Jo-Ann maintained the strength to believe – to go on – to fight the war against cancer until her passing in 1999.
Prior to her death, she requested a scholarship be set up at NSM for students to carry on this fight. This is that scholarship. To honor Jo-Ann’s contributions to the culture of the college, this scholarship awards to College of Natural Sciences & Mathematics (NSM) students, with preference given to students involved in faculty-mentored student research projects related to women’s health issues, cancer, or genetic disorders.
Hedda and Thomas Smithson Science/Math Scholarship
The purpose of this scholarship is to support students in the College of Natural Sciences &Mathematics majoring in Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Geography, Mathematics/Statistics, and Physics/Astronomy.
Richard and Oleta Melnicoe Endowed Scholarship
The Richard and Oleta Melnicoe Endowed Scholarship was created in honor of Rihard Melnicoe--a 1978 graduate of the Department of Biological Science—and Oleta Melnico—a 1978 graduate of the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology. This scholarship is intended to support freshman, sophomores, juniors, seniors, and/or graduate students majoring in biological sciences or chemistry.