The top graduating student in CSUN’s Department of Economics will receive a monetary award thanks to a gift that also creates endowments for scholarships and faculty research support.
The Tamkin Foundation, a family-led philanthropic organization established in 1969 by Ukrainian immigrant and Los Angeles businessman William W. Tamkin, recently provided the gift for the Department of Economics in CSUN’s David Nazarian College of Business and Economics.
William J. Tamkin, William W. Tamkin’s great-grandson, graduated with honors from California State University, Northridge in 2023 with a degree in economics. William J. Tamkin is now a commercial airline pilot, following in the footsteps of his father, Steve Tamkin, a United Airlines captain.
William J. Tamkin also serves as program director for the Tamkin Foundation. He was inspired to give to CSUN and the Nazarian College after being influenced by the dedication and support of classmates, professors and university staff. He was especially inspired by his mentor, economics professor Dennis Halcoussis.
The endowment for faculty research will support expenses such as research-related travel, operating expenses, and research assistants.
In addition, four students majoring in economics will receive a scholarship from the William J. Tamkin Scholarship Endowment each academic year.
The award for the top economics student will be announced each spring.
How Philanthropy Helps CSUN
CSUN is one of the most impactful public universities in California. The thoughtful, generous gifts of CSUN’s philanthropic supporters create life-changing opportunities for our students. These gifts provide scholarships, mentorship, academic spaces, hands-on learning experiences, and many other opportunities that help CSUN students succeed now and in their lives after college. If you would like to support the Department of Economics or create a fund of your own, please contact us at development@csun.edu.
