Steve Pinkston Endowment - Bellarmine College Preparatory
Steve Pinkston Endowment
About Steve Pinkston
Donate to the Steve Pinkston Endowment
Rev. Steve Pinkston, now retired, was a high school teacher (Biology, Mathematics, Social Science and Religious Studies), coach, and administrator for over 40 years.  After beginning his teaching career in Southern California, he settled in San Jose, CA teaching at Bellarmine College Preparatory in 1980. He also served as the Christian Service Director where he promoted service-learning throughout the curriculum, coordinated local and foreign immersion experiences, and advanced justice issues within the school community. Rev. Pinkston also served as the moderator for Bellarmine’s Black Student Union and the Agape Service Club.
Rev. Pinkston was ordained in 1984 under the pastorate of his father - Rev. Dr. M. Samuel Pinkston - at Antioch Baptist Church.  He served in the youth ministry at Antioch for ten years.  He has been volunteering at Juvenile Hall, Elmwood Jail and San Quentin State Prison for over 30 years. He remains a steady and powerful voice in the community, serving on boards and councils and staying active in educational circles.
Rev. Pinkston holds a B.A. in Biology from Pomona College, has taken classes at the University of Nairobi in Kenya, holds a master’s degree in Education from Claremont Graduate University and a master’s degree in Theology from the University of San Francisco.  He has also traveled to 30 countries and is an avid bicyclist.
Rev. Pinkston has been married to Lenora Clease Pinkston for over 35 years. This union was blessed with two children, and the family continues to grow with grandchildren who share in the Pinkston legacy.
When did Mr. Pinkston retire?
What is Bellarmine's Endowment Fund? How does the Steve Pinkston Endowment fit into it? And what is the Pinkston Fellowship?
Why are this Endowment and Fellowship structured in this way?
How much are we trying to raise and by when?
Do we have other named endowments for Bellarmine faculty members?
Who should I contact if I have a question about the Steve Pinkston Endowment?
After 40 years of service to the Bellarmine College Preparatory community, Mr. Pinkston retired in June 2020.
An endowment is a permanent investment account built by the gifts of donors. Because the endowment gives Bellarmine financial strength and flexibility in perpetuity, it is the best guarantee of our ability to support students, faculty, and staff across generations. The Bellarmine Endowment supports either tuition assistance, academic programs, or professional development for faculty and staff.
The Steve Pinkston Endowment is a specific endowment fund within the larger Bellarmine Endowment that will support the salary of the Pinkston Fellowship, open to recent college graduates and graduate students, of racially and culturally diverse descent who wish  to serve at Bellarmine.
The charter agreement was drafted from a desire to honor Mr. Pinkston and his work at Bellarmine. We believe this is a fitting tribute for several reasons: Mr. Pinkston served as a teacher, coach, administrator, mentor, and spiritual leader to generations of students, families and faculty and staff from all backgrounds in his 40 years at the school. And yet, Mr. Pinkston played a special role in supporting African American youth and families here at Bellarmine. In addition, he was the first African American faculty member hired at Bellarmine and he made a specific effort to mentor and support younger faculty of color. As such, the philosophy of the Steve Pinkston Endowment and Pinkston Fellowship is to
Promote faculty diversity at Bellarmine
Attract racially and culturally diverse youth and families to Bellarmine and support them in their time at the school
Inspire young people to enter the teaching profession.
In order to fully fund the Steve Pinkston Endowment in perpetuity, we need to raise $2,000,000. The school is accepting donations of cash or pledges; pledges must be paid over a period of not more than five (5) years.
Bellarmine has over 250 named endowment funds, with approximately 20 funds named for Jesuits and additional funds named for current or former lay faculty members.
For information about the Steve Pinkston Endowment, or to make a gift, please contact Sonya Arriola, Chief of Staff, at sarriola@bcp.org or (408) 537-9202.