Cal State LA Connections Inspire Legacy Gift
Matthew Guidry
This Cal State LA alum has traveled an interesting journey from early life on his family’s farm in Louisiana to the pinnacles of a successful career as a public servant. Growing up on a Louisiana farm taught Matthew Guidry the importance of hard work, discipline, dedication and determination to achieve his goals.
Early in his life, Matthew dreamed about getting a college education, pursuing a career in public service and contributing to institutions that would shape his life.
During his senior year in college, his advisor, a Cal State LA grad and assistant football coach at Grambling State University, told Matthew about Cal State LA and encouraged him to attend.
At his advisor’s suggestion, Matthew pursued his master’s degree at Cal State LA. This decision would help launch Matthew’s career trajectory.
“Cal State was such an inspiring environment,” Matthew says. He enhanced essential skills of communicating, networking with people of different backgrounds, setting goals and achieving objectives.
Matthew went on to earn a Ph.D. at the University of Maryland and had a successful career (33 years) as a university professor, U.S. DOD resource analyst, U.S. DHHS deputy director of Health Promotion and executive director of the President’s Council of Physical Fitness and Sports. Matthew’s selection as a U.S. Office of Education Fellow in 1970 marked the beginning of his service under five U.S. presidents, from Ford to Clinton.
Crediting much of his experience at Cal State LA for enabling him to take on such opportunities, Matthew has made a planned gift to support future University students.
“I don’t think I would have achieved my dreams without Cal State LA and the people who made me feel a part of its community,” Matthew notes. “I want to contribute to and help sustain those opportunities.”
“Matthew understands the power of education in setting students up for success,” Vice President of University Advancement Robert Avalos says. “His generosity will allow future students to dream big and see those dreams fulfilled.”
How You Can Make a Difference
A future gift to Cal State LA has a lasting impact on students. Please contact the Office of Planned Giving at (323) 343-3060 or robert.avalos@calstatela.edu.
Information contained herein was accurate at the time of posting. This information is not intended as legal or tax advice. For such advice, please consult an attorney or tax advisor. Figures cited in any examples are for illustrative purposes only. References to tax rates include federal taxes only and are subject to change. State law may further impact your individual results. California residents: Annuities are subject to regulation by the State of California. Payments under such agreements, however, are not protected or otherwise guaranteed by any government agency or the California Life and Health Insurance Guarantee Association. Oklahoma residents: A charitable gift annuity is not regulated by the Oklahoma Insurance Department and is not protected by a guaranty association affiliated with the Oklahoma Insurance Department. South Dakota residents: Charitable gift annuities are not regulated by and are not under the jurisdiction of the South Dakota Division of Insurance.