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Ex-professor gives Fresno State $875,000

By Cyndee Fontana / The Fresno Bee

Monday, Nov. 16, 2009 | 10:00 PM

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A retired Fresno State professor has left $875,000 to the Kremen School of Education and Human Development in one of the largest-ever donations to the university from a former faculty member.

The gift from the estate of Maxima Dandoy, who died Jan. 31, is being used to establish the Dandoy Center for Excellence to support research, faculty development and leadership.

Paul Beare, dean of the Kremen School, described Dandoy as a gifted professor who left behind a memorable teaching legacy.

"Thanks to Dr. Dandoy's gift, her peers will benefit -- just as they did when she was here," he said.

While larger amounts have been pledged, Dandoy's gift is the biggest received so far by the Kremen School, Beare said.

University officials also said it is one of the largest gifts from a former faculty member; they did not know how she accumulated the money.

Dandoy, a native of the Philippines, retired from Fresno State in 1987.

She earned her doctorate in education from Stanford University in 1952 -- the same year she received her American citizenship.

She came to Fresno State's School of Education in 1956 and worked there until retirement.

The gift boosts Fresno State's current fundraising campaign, which has brought in more than $137 million since 2005.

Officials hope to reach the goal of $200 million by 2012.


The reporter can be reached at cfontana@fresnobee.com or (559) 441-6312.

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