Chico Stories: Jack Rawlins

Through perseverance and hard work, rather than anything that was given him, Jack Rawlins pursued his own path to success in life. Mr. Rawlins attended CSU, Chico for three years of undergraduate studies before transferring to UC Berkeley to complete his formal education, earning a degree in business. Following his collegiate years, he became a very successful local business leader, initiating numerous entrepreneurial activities.

His bond with nature took him on many expeditions to Africa where his commitment to the conservation of nature grew to full force. He spent several years working with African nations on several issues: developing game parks, stemming poaching activities and advocating for Africa's native peoples.

For the past several years, Mr. Rawlins has turned his attention to the education of future generations. This commitment to developing leaders among today's students who can be leaders and advocates for sustainability in the future is manifest in Mr. Rawlins' philanthropic initiatives, which are numerous.

His philanthropic contributions to CSU, Chico include: the establishment of the Rawlins Endowed Professorship of Environmental Literacy, the objective of which is to prepare all students of all majors, across the campus, for dealing with a world environment which is being continually diminished by loss of species, disappearance of habitats, and degradation of air, water, and soil; the establishment of the Jack Rawlins Ecology and Conservation Awards; and the establishment of the Rawlins Environmental Awards whose main criterion is students' potential to make a difference in the world for sustainability, both now and in the future.