Sacramento State’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics received $2.85 million to support the development of students in the greater Sacramento area. The money will go toward making improvements for Sac State students in the department.

The college received $350,000 in federal funds and $2.5 million as a gift from the estate of the late philanthropist David Steinberg. Steinberg’s gift was given to the college’s Voula Steinberg Memorial Mathematics Programs Fund, an organization created in memory of Steinberg’s late wife.

Both funds support the college’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics initiative, which recruits a diverse group of students and enhances their capacity for knowledge.

“This money will allow current and future students the ability to work with state-of-the-art equipment,” said Jill Trainer, dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

The federal money is part of a $40 million fund allocated for Sacramento-area projects. This initiative is part of the House Consolidated Appropriations Act focused on 2010 development.

According to a press release from Public Affairs, the federal funds will provide new equipment for the new cell analysis laboratory at the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

“We want to give undergrad students the opportunity to research and they need state of the art equipment,” Trainer said.

Trainer said the federal funds would support the increased production of stem cell scientists, which would also allow for the development of the new master’s degree offered in applied biosciences

“Students (in the new master’s program) will receive training to help them learn cell culture and cell analysis in the courses on campus here,” Trainer said.The gift from Steinberg’s estate is designated to support three main programs: Mathletes, Academic Talent Search, and the Math Blended Program, Trainer said.

Sac State is one of only two universities in California with the Math Blended Program, which allows students to work simultaneously for their math degree and credential program to become teachers, Trainer said.

The newly acquired funds have helped both the department’s supplies and equipment, while also aiding individual students.

Carol Wilson received the Voula Steinberg Memorial Scholarship recipient for three consecutive years. Last semester, she received a $2,000 stipend in her first experience as a student teaching. The Academic Talent Search also hired her as a middle school math teacher.

“That was my first teaching job, and it would not have been possible without him,” Wilson said.

David and Voula Steinberg were both teachers in the Sacramento City Unified School District. Voula Steinberg also worked with Sac State’s Academic Talent Search, an organization that has helped more than 32,000 young students advance in mathematics through a fast-paced, college-like environment.

“He wanted to memorialize his wife’s legacy and excellence in teaching in math. He was interested in keeping the leadership role in sciences and mathematics in the United States,” said Doraiswamy Ramachandran, a professor in the department of mathematics and statistics.

“Voula Steinberg was an outstanding math teacher in Sacramento. She was recognized by the Mathematical Association of America,” Ramachandran said.

The Voula Steinberg Memorial Mathematics Programs Fund has been connected with Sac State since 2001.

“The Steinbergs had a very good relationship with the university,” Trainer said.

The foundation is aimed toward middle school, high school and college students who need guidance and financial assistance to become teachers. Steinberg’s contributions have helped the Sacramento community by providing more math teachers in the area.

David Steinberg died Nov. 1, 2009, at the age of 92.

According to his obituary published in the Sacramento Bee, Steinberg served in World War II and received numerous awards for his service, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with several clusters and the Purple Heart with one cluster.

“Mr. Steinberg was a very sweet and passionate person who loved meeting and helping the students with the scholarships,” Wilson said. Ramachandran described the Steinberg donation as a wonderful gift for Sac State students.

“There was at least one semester, if not more, where I would have definitely been unable to attend school if it had not been for the generosity of the Steinberg scholarship,” said Wilson, who will continue in her second semester of student teaching thanks to another $2,500 from the Steinberg Foundation.

Ricky Alejandro can be reached a [email protected].