At the 2022 commencement at the Cal State Fullerton College of Business and Economics on May 25, university President Fram Virjee will bestow an honorary doctorate of humane letters on finance alumnus and esteemed donor Jeff Van Harte ’80.

In receiving this accolade, Van Harte will join an exclusive group of only 20 people to receive this honor from Cal State Fullerton and an elite cohort within the broader Cal State system that includes President John F. Kennedy, who in 1963 was the first to receive this award.

Van Harte has served as a remarkable leader at CSUF, including as a former chair and four-term member of the Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation Board of Governors, a long-term member of the Dean’s Advisory Board and a member of the President’s Roundtable.

Commitment and Leadership – At the Business College and Beyond

Perhaps most notably, Van Harte is a supporter of Titan Capital Management, which enables CSUF finance students to manage a real-world stock and bond portfolio. Since its founding in 2014, the program has grown to manage nearly $3 million, providing funding to student services and boosting the careers of countless finance students, many of whom have gone on to prestigious positions at world-renowned financial sector companies such as Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan. As a mentor to students, Van Harte has particularly supported and championed the success of women and students from historically underprivileged groups.

“The Titan Capital Management is one of the signature programs at the College of Business and Economics. Our students receive hands on experience in managing the equity and bond portfolio of nearly $3 million. This opportunity would not be available to our students without Jeff’s vision and support” remarked Dean Sri Sundaram.

But Van Harte’s impact extends far beyond the College of Business and Economics. All eight colleges at Cal State Fullerton and programs such as the baseball, softball and golf programs of Titan Athletics; the Center for Oral and Public History; Center for Healthy Neighborhoods; and Student Affairs have all been the beneficiaries of Van Harte’s generosity.

In his career, Van Harte is chairman of Jackson Square Partners, a San Francisco-based institutional investment management firm. Previously, Van Harte was a chief investment officer for Delaware Investments and principal and executive vice president at Transamerica Investment Management, which he joined in 1980 after his CSUF graduation.

Whether as a husband, a father, a manager, a businessman, a donor, a mentor or a leader, Van Harte always demonstrates the caring, dedication and humility that exemplifies the Titan spirit.

Says Greg Saks, CSUF vice president for university advancement: “One of the greatest pleasures I have had since coming to CSUF nine years ago is interacting with Jeff Van Harte. His passion for our students and the mission of his alma mater always shines through in all his interactions. Cal State Fullerton is thrilled to honor one of our most distinguished alumni with this unique and special honor.”