“When I was at UCSD, playing intramural sports was a great outlet for me—one that balanced the pressure of my studies with the added social benefit.  UCSD’s Recreation Department has been an important part of the overall college experience at the university for years.”
--John Sundt, UCSD Alumnus

For UC San Diego alumnus Jon Sundt, surfing and playing intramural sports during his university days offered a natural high that balanced the rigorous demands of school.  To underscore his gratitude for campus sports activities, the La Jolla native recently gave $250,000 to support the UCSD Recreation Department, which offers facilities and programs for students, staff, faculty, alumni and the university community.  Sundt is founder and president of Altegris Investments, Inc. in San Diego.

This donation from Sundt, an annual supporter of the Recreation Department’s sports clubs, is the first major gift in the history of the UCSD Recreation Department.  His gift provides $200,000 in current-use funds, which he hopes will be used for outdoor lighting to extend students’ playing time. 

“I’m pleased to play a role in ensuring that future generations of students will benefit from the types of recreation programs that I enjoyed during my undergraduate years at UCSD.”

The remaining $50,000 of the gift are in endowed funds, providing for the maintenance of the Sundt Memorial Gate to Black’s Beach—which is used by students and residents alike—and the placement of a plaque near it honoring Sundt’s father, who recently died of cancer, as well as his two brothers. The plaque reads:

Beyond the gate,
at the end of the road,
the journey begins and memories last forever…
for Dad, Eric and Steve

Unfortunately, rather than pursuing a natural high, his two brothers took another road… and  both died due to the effects of drug use.  Sundt uses the pain of losing two of his brothers to help other teenagers avoid the same mistakes.  He was honored as a Leadership Award winner by San Diego Channel 10 last year for founding the Sundt Memorial Foundation (www.sundtmemorial.com) and his commitment to keeping kids off drugs—both locally and nationally.

The Sundt Memorial Foundation’s unique drug prevention program is making a lasting impact on young people.  Over the last 12 years, the Foundation has touched the lives of millions of kids across America through assemblies, educational materials and its highly acclaimed Natural High video series.  The Foundation also funds substance abuse treatment and recovery centers that help kids and adults ride the drug-free wave to a fresh start in life.

“Philanthropy is the most profound kind of gift,” added Sundt.  “You give … and then you get back in so many ways.”

Ready to give?  Please contact us at (858) 534-0263 or at stuaffairsdev@ucsd.edu.  You may also give now by accessing our secure online giving page.