Marika Kohalmy Endowment

Established September 15, 2000, to provide a perpetual scholarship award for outstanding music students at Mission College.

The Marika Kohalmy Endowment provides a living legacy for Mission College faculty member who left an indelible impression on her students, fellow faculty, and many friends.

Marika, born in 1924, was a Hungarian nightingale. She sand and danced from a young age. In her twenties, she toured post-war Germany with a gypsy orchestra, performing concerts of Hungarian music on allied military bases and public concert halls.

Marika obtained formal training from a music conservatory in Canada and graduated in 1967 from the Indiana University School of Music. Following graduation, she sang many leading operatic roles and gave concerts of classical, vocal music throughout the United States. After moving to California in 1981, she taught at Mission College in Santa Clara. During Marika's thirteen years of teaching at Mission College, she mentored hundreds of students in voice and piano.

Marika's humanity and love for her students were always evident. She had the skill to transform frightened students with little vocal experience and into highly talented, confident vocalists.

Marika's rich accomplishments and full life ended on July 24, 2000. Gene Sterling, a retired Mission College faculty member, was Marika's partner in life for 34 years.

The Marika Kohalmy Endowment permanently memorializes Marika's love for Mission College students and the educational ideals she held so dear. Both Gene Sterling and the family of Marika's half brother, Arpad Kohalmy, offer this endowment as a fitting and lasting testament to Marika, her talents, and her dedication as a teacher.

The Marika Kohalmy Endowment provides a perpetual resource for scholarship awards to benefit outstanding music students attending or transferring from Mission College. The scholarship awards provide cash to recipients for school expenses.