Donor establishes endowment in honor of CSUB alumna

Many students face challenges in resuming their higher education studies after an extended absence, but a new scholarship at California State University, Bakersfield will help ease the transition for some of these re-entry students.

Retired local attorney, David Cooper, is providing $110,000 to CSUB to establish the Dianne Levine Cooper Endowment Fund in honor of his late wife, an alumna of the university. The endowment will fund annual scholarships for re-entry students in the counseling psychology master's program.

Dianne received her master's degree in counseling from CSUB in 1983, after which she became a widely respected marriage and family therapist in Bakersfield. She died in March at age 79, having maintained her connection with CSUB long after her graduation by serving as a lecturer and participating in professional seminars and other activities in support of counseling students.

"I'm incredibly grateful to be able to do this. Being a therapist, having that calling, was so meaningful to Dianne. It changed her life," Cooper said. "The fact that we're able to give a little bit back to CSUB to support counseling students is precisely what Dianne would have wanted."

Dr. Erika Harper, director of the counseling psychology program, said she is grateful for the support.

"We are absolutely overjoyed for the generous and precious gift Mr. Cooper is giving in support of counseling psychology master's students," she said. "This endowment fund is specifically aimed at re-entry students, who account for many of our program students and provides a pathway for these students that makes achieving their master's in counseling psychology possible."

Interim Dean for the College of Social Sciences and Education Dr. Luis Vega said alumni support of current students is the ultimate gift.

"Mr. Cooper understands well students' plights, who in pursuit of becoming counselors face perilous winds defined by being first-generation in college, a single parent, juggling multiple jobs, caring for a loved one, having shelter and food insecurity," he said. "This endowment gives our students a hand up and a legacy of helping others, reinforcing the sacred credo in the counseling profession."

Like many of the students who will be supported by the scholarship, Dianne returned to college after a long absence. Cooper believes the endowment will serve as a great way to ensure that her legacy lives on.

"In contemplating an appropriate memorial for Dianne, it seemed to me and the rest of Dianne's family like the most natural thing in the world to do," he said. "We hope it's going to make school a bit easier for these students. Re-entry students in particular - they often work, they have kids. The mechanics of life just make things difficult, so if we can help enable people to do something that they want to do, that would be great, and a lasting legacy for Dianne."