By Jonathan Morales

November 07, 2024

Elizabeth Shattuck isn’t one to hold back, even when sharing what it means to receive a prestigious award from Sacramento State.

“What it means is I have to get dressed up and get my hair done and compose a short speech,”  Shattuck said jokingly. She is the recipient of this year’s Honorary Alumna Award from the Sac State Alumni Association.

That she doesn’t hold back is also why the Alumni Association is honoring Shattuck, who, with her late husband, longtime History Professor Peter Shattuck, has provided decades of philanthropic and other support to the University.

Shattuck will receive her award alongside five other Distinguished Alumni Award recipients at a reception on Nov. 7.

“My husband was devoted to (Sac State) and devoted to his students, and I have learned how much the students need support,” Shattuck said. “The country needs, especially now, people emerging into citizenship with critical thinking skills and we need good citizens.”

Another reason for her years of continued financial support? She doesn’t hold back there, either.

“When will the state learn that money sent to the state university is not an expense, it's an investment?” Shattuck said.

All told, Shattuck has donated more than $2 million to Sac State, helping promote faculty excellence and support students who otherwise would not have the financial resources to attend college. After Peter died in 2015, she established in his honor the Peter H. Shattuck Endowed Chair in Colonial History, providing Sac State students support and opportunities in the study of colonial American history.

The endowment also supports the Shattuck History Day Resource Fund, which helps local K-12 students develop projects for National History Day, and the Peter H. Shattuck Research Assistantship, which offers graduate students an opportunity to develop research skills with traditional and digital archival sources. Additionally, the Elizabeth Shattuck Resource Fund provides money for low-income History students to purchase textbooks, supplies and other needed resources.

“With both Sac State students and teachers in mind, Elizabeth has made, and continues to make, the University into a beacon of higher learning in the state of California.” -- Antonio Bly, endowed chair in colonial American history

“Since joining the Sac State family in 2019, I have witnessed firsthand (Shattuck’s) commitment to the University,” wrote Antonio Bly, the endowed chair in colonial American history, in his letter nominating her for the award. “I have also had the pleasure of working with her as she has helped students … achieve their goals and aspirations.

“With both Sac State students and teachers in mind, Elizabeth has made, and continues to make, the University into a beacon of higher learning in the state of California.”

Outside of Sac State, Shattuck has supported numerous local organizations, including Sacramento Steps Forward, Cottage Housing, Habitat for Humanity, the Sacramento Valley Conservancy and the Sacramento Public Library Foundation.

The Honorary Alumnus award is given to friends of Sac State who have demonstrated a close affinity to the campus and who have rendered exceptional support and leadership to the University or the Alumni Association.

For more information about the Distinguished Alumni Awards, visit the Alumni Association web page.