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Stanford students at picnic table

A golden anniversary inspires a lasting legacy for future students

An alumni couple celebrating 50 years create plans for a scholarship fund to support undergrads for generations to come

Constance Whiteside, ’74, and Randall Yim, ’74, met in the fall of their first year at Stanford and were soon inseparable.

They made the most of their time together—free concerts at Frost, bonfires at Lake Lag, and Friday afternoon bike rides to their favorite pizza place. During their junior year, they spent a foggy spring semester researching isopods at Stanford’s Hopkins Marine Station. By their senior year, a wedding was in the works. They married the day before graduation, surrounded by friends and family in a simple ceremony in Palo Alto, and attended commencement the next day.

Constance Whiteside, ’74, and Randall Yim, ’74, celebrated their 50th Stanford reunion on campus in 2024.

Reflecting on the ways Stanford changed their lives, the couple was inspired to include the university in a revocable trust as part of their estate plan several years ago. This year, in celebration of their golden anniversary and 50th reunion, they worked with Stanford’s Office of Planned Giving to ensure that their planned gift would be designated to support undergraduate students. The endowed fund that will be created, the Constance Whiteside and Randall Yim Class of 1974 Undergraduate Scholarship Fund, will provide financial aid to future generations of undergraduate students. The named fund also will provide scholarship recipients the benefit of knowing who made the opportunity possible.

“Without Stanford, I would never have met someone like Constance,” says Randall. “Stanford radically, positively changed the arc of my life, and now we have the ability to offer these kinds of opportunities to others.”

At Stanford, we were given the opportunity to explore many paths. We want others to have opportunities to explore as well.”
—Constance Whiteside, ’74, and Randall Yim, ’74

Constance Whiteside and Randall Yim in 1974

Constance and Randall share a laugh during their first year at Stanford.

Reaching for dreams through financial aid

Constance grew up in Washington state and had limited financial options available for college. She believed local schools were her only options until a high school counselor encouraged her to apply to Stanford. To her delight, she was accepted with a full financial aid package. She never forgot this act of generosity, and always wished she could thank the anonymous donor who helped her achieve her dream of studying music and science.

“I remember walking to class and thinking with joy, ‘I have another day here,’” she says. “If not for financial aid, I would never have been able to come to Stanford. That’s why I decided long ago to pay it forward.”

Randall, a Bay Area native, always felt Stanford was in his future. His father ran a gas station, and his mother was a part-time bank teller. They worked hard to put him and his sisters through school, and Randall was acutely aware of the sacrifices his parents made on their behalf. When it came time to attend graduate school, however, Randall had to make his own way.

“Constance and I had no money when we graduated, and we relied on financial aid to attend grad school after we left Stanford,” he says. “Stanford opened up pathways I wouldn’t have had otherwise. That’s why we want to give back.”

Finding new pathways and purpose

A human biology major, Randall’s path led him into environmental law, and eventually public service. He began his legal career working on hazardous waste site cleanup, which led him to serve as deputy undersecretary for military infrastructure in the Clinton administration. He held other senior roles, including work on homeland security issues after 9/11. He is most proud of his impact on improving housing for military families across the globe, for which he received the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service.

Constance, a biology major, had a successful career as a physician, researcher, and tenured faculty at UC Davis Medical School before eventually returning to her first love—music. A professional harpist, she teaches and performs on modern and historical harps. In 2004, she founded the Washington Early Music Festival, opening doors for young musicians. She also worked with the delegation of the European Union to the United States, creating cultural and global policy programs.

If not for financial aid, I would never have been able to come to Stanford. That’s why I decided long ago to pay it forward.”
—Constance Whiteside, ’74

Back to where it all began

Now longtime residents of Virginia, Constance and Randall recently returned to campus for their 50th reunion. They enjoyed strolling through the Quad and checking out the new buildings on campus. After a 20-year hiatus, returning to Stanford felt like a homecoming in more ways than one.

“Stanford gave me my future life and taught me that if you want to accomplish something, you’ll find a way,” Constance explains. “Stanford led me on this path, and every day I think, ‘Thank you, Stanford.’ Randall and I hope that this gift will enable future students to look back and feel the same way.”