Costco CEO Creates Endowed Scholarship in SDSU's College of Education

SAN DIEGO (Friday, January 16, 2009) — San Diego State University alumnus and Costco CEO Jim Sinegal has created a new endowed scholarship in SDSU’s College of Education. The Janet Sinegal Scholarship was created as a surprise for Jim’s wife, who is an activist in the field of education. The gift comes in addition to the existing Jim and Janet Sinegal Scholarship, which the couple established in 2003.

“I couldn’t think of a better way to honor my wife,” said Sinegal. “As SDSU alumni, we’re both proud of the education we received and want to make sure that other individuals have the same experience. It is important to us to continue to give this gift to students who otherwise might not have the opportunity to complete their teaching credentials.”

Sinegal made the contribution an endowment to ensure the scholarship would be available for generations of students to come. He increased his original pledge of $150,000 to give the university a gift of almost $300,000.
In 2003, Jim and Janet Sinegal pledged $250,000 to create the Jim and Janet Scholarship to support students working on their teaching credential. The Sinegals continued the scholarship in 2008 with a new pledge of $250,000 over five years.
Twenty to 25 Sinegal scholarships in the amount of $2,000–$2,500 are awarded each year to students enrolled in a basic teacher credential program at SDSU. Candidates are selected based on academic performance and financial need. To date, the Jim and Janet Sinegal Scholarship has provided funding for 146 students.

Jim Sinegal graduated from SDSU’s College of Business Administration in 1959 and received an honorary doctorate in 1999. During his days at SDSU, Sinegal worked as a warehouseman and shipping clerk for Sol Price’s Fed-Mart. In 1976, Sol Price founded Price Club, and two years later Sinegal rose to the position of executive vice president. In 1983, Sinegal co-founded Costco with Jeffrey Brotman, and ten years later, Costco merged with Sinegal’s former employer. Sinegal was named one of the 100 most influential people by Time magazine in 2006 and ranked #9 on Forbes magazine’s annual CEO list in 2005.

Janet Sinegal graduated from SDSU’s College of Business Administration in 1962 and received her teaching credential from SDSU in 1963. As a teacher and philanthropist, she is active in the field of education and a variety of educational causes. Sinegal’s endeavors include support for The Foundation for Early Learning, MENTOR, and many other organizations focusing on the health and well being of children. Both Jim and Janet are also Montys award recipients, an annual award given to distinguished SDSU alumni.

By: Golda Akhgarnia
San Diego State University
Marketing & Communications

Where to look for other scholarships

• Colleges.com - Click on our Scholarship Search and go crazy with the list we have complied for you of almost all of the available scholarships out there!
• High School Guidance Counselors and Career Centers - They usually have information on scholarships, and certain web site where you can find
• Community Organizations - Rotary, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Boy and Girl Scouts of America
• Church - Diocese headquarters, Religious Youth Groups
• Explore Fortune 500 and local companies
• State Department - Oftentimes, if you live in a certain state and plan to attend college in that state, there may be money set aside for you. It never hurts to ask!
• World Wide Web - After you have thoroughly searched the colleges.com scholarship search page, feel free to do your own research on various websites! There is more than enough information out there, and if you look hard enough, you will find what you are looking for!