Cal State San Marcos College of Business Receives Record Pledge; Business Building To Be Named After North County Couple

Administrators in the College of Business Administration at California State University San Marcos announced Oct. 20 that a North County couple, who wish to remain anonymous at this time, have pledged $5 million to the college. The pledged gift is the largest to date made to the university at any one time. It provides a significant start for a $12 million, five-year fundraising campaign on behalf of the college.

"This pledge demonstrates the excitement the North County business community feels about our vision for the college, and the confidence donors have in our ability to deliver a program that will enhance the region's business climate. It is an excellent start for our campaign and signals that we are well on our way to success," said Dean Dennis Guseman.

In recognition of the couple's support for the college, said Guseman, "we anticipate announcing within the next few weeks the name of the donors and the naming of the business building." Guseman explained that the first funding to become available from the pledged gift would be used for furnishings and technology, and to upgrade the building lobby and an exterior plaza. Subsequent parts of the gift will be applied to several projects, including faculty enrichment, student scholarships and program development.

The pledged gift was announced at a "Beam Signing" Ceremony to mark construction of the new building. The ceremony was held in Room 102 of Academic Hall on the Cal State San Marcos campus. Participants at the event, a cross-section of business and civic leaders from San Diego North County, the public and the university campus, were able to sign a steel beam that will become a permanent part of the building.

Also announced at the event were approximately $700,000 in other pledges and donations to the building. Funds have been pledged or donated by Hunter Industries, Frances Hunter, Mission Federal Credit Union, Teamwork Athletic Apparel, Lusardi Construction, Design Fabrication, Julia Anthony, Provide-Commerce, Pennysaver, Grice Lund Tarkington Accounting, Scott Free and the Ecke Family.

The $12 million fund-raising campaign will support projects in faculty enrichment and program development, as well as student scholarships. Faculty enrichment projects include recruiting and retention, research support, technology support and professional development. Program development projects include start-up funds for a small business entrepreneurship and business development program, a leadership center, and business community programs.

The 75,765 square-foot business building will house the College of Business, including 88 faculty offices, 33 classrooms, a computer lab and electronic library carrels to connect to the Kellogg Library. The building will also house the departments of communication, economics and political science. Construction began last spring and the expected date of completion is May 2006. The building, estimated to cost $26.8 million, is being built by C.E. Wylie Construction Company of San Diego. The architect is A. C. Martin of Los Angeles, who designed the Graduate School of Business for USC. Funding for $3.4 million worth of equipment was included in Prop. 55, which was approved by California voters in March 2004.

The fund-raising campaign is ongoing. For information or to participate, contact Dale Wallenius at 760-750-4270.