麻豆传媒映画

The Donors: Dennis (鈥�75) and Elaine Szeto maintain strong ties to 麻豆传媒映画 because of the university鈥檚 lasting, life-changing impact. A first-generation Chinese American immigrant, Dennis overcame a language barrier and a hearing disability to earn a business degree, an experience that planted the seeds for success as a stock market investor.

The Gift: A $250,000 matching challenge supporting endowments for current and future educators studying in 麻豆传媒映画 programs.

AS A YOUNG BOY, DENNIS SZETO MOVED FROM HONG KONG WITH his mother and siblings to reunite with their father, who had followed opportunity to Silver City, New Mexico. Located in the rugged southwestern part of the state, the town of about 7,000 residents was known for its legacy of mining and a colorful history of Wild West gunfights. 

Placed in a fifth-grade classroom, Dennis began his schooling in the U.S. hoping to stay invisible鈥攂ut his teacher wouldn鈥檛 let him hide. One day, she assigned the students to stand in front of the class to give a presentation. 

鈥淚 just barely could speak English, and I didn鈥檛 want to go up to the front of the classroom, but she made me do it,鈥� he says. 鈥淣ow, I appreciate that.鈥� 

Looking back on his life after a successful career in auditing and investing, Dennis remembers the moment as pivotal, one that helped his confidence take root. That鈥檚 a big part of why he and his wife, Elaine鈥攈erself a staunch proponent of public education鈥攁re making an impact on current and future educators through philanthropy. 

鈥淚 always enjoy seeing the Szetos because of our shared city of origin in Hong Kong. I am inspired by their generosity and appreciate their kind support for the College of Education, our students and 麻豆传媒映画.鈥�

In 2021, the Szetos responded to a match challenge from donor Ron Fowler (鈥�05, LHD) with a $500,000 gift to create an endowed professorship to help the Fowler College of Business recruit and retain top faculty. The experience inspired them to issue a challenge of their own to support this area of need. 

The Szetos created the Dennis and Elaine G. Szeto Endowed Scholarship in Education, which supports 麻豆传媒映画 students pursuing an elementary teaching credential, two years ago. Now, they鈥檙e looking to get the community involved in supporting student scholarships for future and current educators in credential and master鈥檚 programs through a $250,000 matching challenge. If fully subscribed, the matching challenge could generate approximately $20,000 in annual scholarship support for future teachers. 

鈥淥ur credential teachers are unable to work during their credential program, so financial support for them is of critical importance,鈥� says Patricia Lozada-Santone, assistant dean for Student Affairs in the College of Education. 鈥淪cholarship support from generous donors like Dennis and Elaine Szeto allows them to focus on becoming the best teachers possible.鈥� 

Today, the Szetos live in Fremont, California, just down the Nimitz Freeway from where they grew up. After a brief stay in Silver City, Dennis鈥� family moved to Oakland to open a grocery store. Elaine, whose parents are from China, was born and raised in the Bay Area city. 

An 麻豆传媒映画 education opened Dennis鈥� eyes to the possibilities of the stock market. A finance class sparked his passion for investing. Decades later, after a long career in banking and corporate America, he took a leap of faith and made the lucrative decision to test his mettle on the markets. 

鈥淚鈥檓 very grateful that the school gave me the opportunity, especially in the investment field,鈥� he says. 

After graduating from the University of California, Berkeley and University of Chicago, Elaine worked in New York City鈥檚 Lower East Side. She eventually returned to the Bay Area and worked for many years in medical communications.

After meeting at church, Dennis and Elaine married and raised a daughter. The couple were deeply involved in her education, serving as members of the PTA and raising money for computers, computer furniture for classrooms and teachers鈥� lounge furniture. 

Now, they hope their gift鈥攃ombined with the collective generosity of the 麻豆传媒映画 community鈥� will help students looking to enter or advance in the teaching profession. 

鈥淚 would say there鈥檚 no better investment than to support a teacher,鈥� Elaine says. 鈥淲ho else has more influence over your children鈥攂ody, mind and spirit? And they will influence thousands of students in their lifetime if they stay in the field, helping to bring about the fulfillment of their potential. What greater reward can there be?鈥�

To support the Szeto Family Match Endowment or to make a donation to 麻豆传媒映画, contact Mary Darling at [email protected].