Wallace "Wally" Lowry

About

Resolution Declaring Wally Lowry’s Emeritus Status

to the Sonoma State University Foundation Board of Directors

WHEREAS,   Wally Lowry’s vision and leadership established the original California State College, Sonoma Foundation for Educational Development, Inc., now known as the Sonoma State University Foundation (SSUF); and

WHEREAS,   he was an original director and signer of the Articles of Incorporation of the Board, founding the Corporation; and

WHEREAS,   he rendered leadership, knowledge, direction and advice to the Board of Directors and to the staff of SSUF during his 42 years of service as a Board Director; and

WHEREAS,   his leadership on SSUF included the generosity of he and his wife Ellie Lowry, of nearly $300,000 in personal lifetime contributions, which have and continue to benefit the students and programs of Sonoma State University; and

WHEREAS,   during his term as a director he served in the capacity of faculty and community member, including service on multiple committees of the Board, including the Audit Committee and Finance/Investment Committee; and

WHEREAS,   Wally led cooperative and collegial relationships between the board and committee members of SSUF, the community, the University, and students; and

WHEREAS,   he co-founded the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University, which recently celebrated its 25th year, benefitting generations of students, as well as the wine industry; and

WHEREAS,   beginning with his tenure, the Endowment grew from $0 to over $70 million today; and

WHEREAS,   the growth of the endowment has led the transformation of the University; providing resources and support for campus programs, scholarships, facilities, and other strategic initiatives; and most importantly, the success of Sonoma State University; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED   that the Board of Directors of SSUF extend to  the family and memory of Wally Lowry our utmost respect, gratitude, and high esteem of the Corporation for Wally’s many years of distinguished service to SSUF; and be it further

RESOLVED   that following recommendation by the Governance Committee and the Executive Committee of SSUF, the     Board of Directors for SSUF proudly extends posthumously to Wally Lowry, the first ever honorary distinction of Emeritus Director of the SSUF Board of Directors.

Approved on the 6th day of December, 2024 at Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California          

The 2024-2025 Sonoma State University Foundation Officers and Board of Directors

Officers

Robert U’Ren, Chair
Mario Perez, CEO
Ian Hannah, COO
Amanda Visser, CFO 

Directors

Mr. Monir Ahmed
Dr. Frank Chong
Ms. Anita Christmas
Dr. Emily Cutrer
Mr. David Felte
Mr. Asad “AJ” Franklin
Mr. Thomas Gillespie
Mr. Joseph Huang
Mr. Tom Isaak
Dr. Brigitte Lahme
Dr. Karen Moranski
Dr. H. Andrėa Neves
Mr. Ernesto Olivares
Ms. Libby Payan
Mr. Kenneth Pennington
Ms. Marcela Piedra
Mr. Ali Pourghadir
Ms. Vanessa Sanchez
Ms. Maraskeshia Smith
Mr. Michael Sullivan
Mr. Brent Thomas