Growing up on Escarpa Drive near the Occidental campus, Constance (Karge) Jackson ’49 fondly recalls playing Robin Hood with the neighborhood kids among the College’s oak groves. As a member of Oxy’s Summer Vacation Club, she enjoyed the use of the swimming pool and other athletic facilities. On a clear December day in 1941, Connie was sitting with friends on Fiji Hill, admiring the view—only to return home to hear the news of Pearl Harbor.
World War II brought Richard Jackson ’49 to Eagle Rock. The San Diego native came to campus as a member of the Navy’s V-5 unit and soon after was transferred to Caltech and then to USC. But Oxy left an indelible impression, and he returned to campus in 1946, following his discharge. An accomplished guard in basketball, he was an All-Conference starter for both Oxy and Caltech. “Connie never missed one of my basketball games,” Dick recalls with a smile.
Following their marriage in 1950, Connie learned to adapt to her husband’s long work days at his first job in Bishop. In addition to his teaching duties, Dick coached football, basketball, track, and baseball—all in one year! Thirty-three years later, he retired as assistant superintendent of the San Diego City School District. Today, Dick remains involved as a volunteer, tutor, and mentor at his alma mater, San Diego High School.
The Jacksons are also active supporters of Occidental’s Tiger Club. During basketball season, Dick frequently makes the two-hour journey to cheer for the Tigers in the bleachers. “Oxy provided us with an all-around good educational experience and the gift of lasting friendships,” Connie says. Ten family members are alumni, including Connie’s sister, Shirley (Jackson) Kelly ’59; Dick’s sister, Janet (Karge) Dunlap ’46; Janet’s husband, Grant Dunlap ’46; and the Jacksons’ daughter, Carolyn ’74.
When the time came to plan for their retirement, the Jacksons wanted to include Occidental in their estate plans, so they transferred funds to the College to create a charitable gift annuity. With this mutually beneficial gift arrangement, the Jacksons will receive a fixed and guaranteed income for their lifetimes—and when the annuity terminates, the remaining funds will be used to support the athletic programs at Occidental that they love. “We owe so much to Oxy,” Dick says, “so we want to continue to support the College in any way we can.”
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Last updated:01/23/08