Here at Humboldt State, philanthropy is about more than alumni giving back to their alma mater. It’s also about students giving to support students.

When Emma Hopson, Class of ’16, came to HSU, she knew she wanted to make a difference, but she didn't know she'd be changing the lives of other students by collecting small, but powerful, donations. In its first year, the Forever Humboldt Student Club has raised $770 from peers, asking students to each give $10 to support programs on campus that benefit students. After raising funds, the group selected what project to support. As Emma, who is one of the group leaders, points out: “We know what the issues are and what students would like to see happen.”

“The students in the group wanted to select a project that would help students while also providing a resource for the entire campus,” says Christy Khattab, Director of Alumni & Engagement and advisor for the Forever Humboldt Student Club.

Students chose to purchase textbooks for the library, which will be on reserve at the check-out desk. Textbooks can cost upwards of $500. It’s hard to be successful in college if you struggle to afford all the textbooks. Increasing the availability of reserve textbooks will save students money, enabling them to focus on their education instead of worrying about funding.

Giving feels good and the students in the Forever Humboldt Student Club are learning this while they are still at HSU. “It feels incredible that we get to be part of something that can help students earn their education in a way that could save them money in both the short and long term,” shares Emma.

To get in on those fuzzy feelings that come from giving and to make a difference in lives of students at HSU, visit www.humboldt.edu/giving  or call the Office of Philanthropy at (707) 826-5101.

Forever Humboldt Students is open to all current HSU students. For more information, visit http://forever.humboldt.edu/students.