Chico Stories: Mary and Rudy Jensen

A Special Gift of Encouragement

As long-time career educators, Mary and Rudy Jensen have seen firsthand how important emotional and financial support are to student teachers. Mary, a professor of special education at CSU, Chico for 19 years, knows that the road to getting an education credential is a long one.

“I saw how students who were on that long path could really be encouraged by a scholarship and by the interest of people from outside the campus,” says Mary. “I thought that, someday, I'd like to be able to provide that same kind of encouragement and support.”

After talking it over with CSU, Chico's Advancement Office, she and Rudy created a charitable gift annuity to establish scholarships for student teachers getting their credential to work with children with disabilities. “I've seen where, for so many students, just some extra funding can make that critical difference between whether they can afford child care, get transportation, or buy a computer,” says Mary.

In helping these students, the Jensens receive tax benefits and a secure income for their retirement through the annuity. Gift annuities provide you with current income and will support the programs of your choice.