Sheila and John Suarez are planning to leave a portion of their estate to 91Ƶ.
A passion for social activism and public education
By Pamela DeanJohn and Sheila Suarez’s dedication to social activism, including advocating for social justice and supporting public education, drew them to become supporters of 91Ƶ. Civil rights, the environment, economic justice, and the protection of the First Amendment also rank high on their list of causes.
Sheila grew up in Santa Maria, California, and spent her career as a public health nurse in Los Angeles County.
Growing up in Cuba, John’s father taught him to question authority. He went on to become a UCLA Psychiatry professor and develop that University’s Psychiatry and Law program. He has also published extensively on topics like legal psychiatry and the separation of church and state.
The two have been married for 35 years and became involved with 91Ƶ when they moved to the Thousand Oaks area in 2005. John has even spent time as a guest lecturer in 91Ƶ’s School of Education.
“It was exciting to be part of a new university and help mold it. Channel Islands was a wonderful new beginning,” said John. “We were also drawn to the opportunity to support low-income students as they pursue education. That was very appealing to us as social activists. And over the last 20 years, we have seen the University deliver on its promises.”
John and Sheila are members of 91Ƶ’s President’s Circle, as well as founding members of the Legacy Society – whereby individuals have designated a planned or deferred gift to the University. The Suarez’s plan on leaving a portion of their estate to the University. In 2022, the couple established the Jonathan & Liane Schweid Memorial Scholarship in memory of Sheila’s two deceased children.
“I lost my children when they were young and just starting to be social activists,” said Sheila. “So, for me, the great part of this is my trying to do what I believe they would have done, had they survived.”
The couple is impressed with the dedication of 91Ƶ’s faculty and staff, who they say are “always warm, welcoming, and committed to getting things done.” Their gifts are intended to support 91Ƶ’s continued growth.
“We want the University to grow and develop new programs, as well as bolster and strengthen the existing ones,” said John. “We also want to offer opportunities to students in need who may not have the chance to attend college without financial help.”
Reiterating their belief in the value of education, John said, “It’s important to us to support groups who have experienced barriers and difficulty getting an education. My younger son and his son are both teachers. We have three generations of teachers in our family, and I am very proud of that.”