(FOX40.COM) — The Sacramento State community is mourning the passing of a philanthropist and donor who left an indelible mark on both the university and the city of Sacramento.
Ernest E. Tschannen, a mechanical engineer turned real estate investor, passed away at age 101, Sacramento State announced in a news release Monday. Tschannen was born in Switzerland and immigrated to Canada before settling down in America to pursue work as a mechanical engineer, according to UC Davis.
“On behalf of the entire Sacramento State community, I want to thank Ernest for believing in this university and in the students who will walk through the doors of the buildings that bear his name for decades to come,” Sacramento State president Luke Wood said in the release.
Tschannen Science Complex (Image: Tom Bonner / CO Architects)
Tschannen was the university’s all-time top donor, giving roughly $24 million to construct science and engineering buildings on campus. He donated $9 million to help build the titular Tschannen Science Complex. The building, which finished construction in 2019, has labs and classrooms for students studying natural science and mathematics, according to Sacramento State.
The university announced Aug. 26 that Tschannen pledged $15 million to name a new engineering building. The proposed facility has no construction start date, but when completed it plans to offer labs for engineering and computer science programs.
Tschannen’s philanthropic reach stretched beyond Sacramento State. In 2016, he donated $18.5 million to name the UC Davis Eye Center in Sacramento, which later became the Ernest E. Tschannen Eye Institute. According to UC Davis, Tschannen was “a grateful patient of the UC Davis Health System,” receiving treatment for glaucoma at the eye center after being diagnosed in 2000.
Sacramento State celebrated Tschannen’s 100th birthday on May 1, 2025, in an event held outside the science building named in his honor.
Ernest E. Tschannen speaks in front of the Tschanen Science Complex at his 100th birthday celebration hosted by Sacramento State on May 1, 2025. (Image: Sacramento State)
“I am glad I live in America. I am very appreciative to be here.” Tschannen said to a crowd of students who attended the celebration. “I became successful because I live in a fantastic country.”
Sacramento State plans to hold a celebration of life for Tschannen on campus “in the coming weeks,” the university stated.
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