Long-Time Supporters of Cal State Long Beach Make Substantial Donation to Establish Center for Ethical Leadership

Mick and Louise Ukleja have donated a substantial gift toward a $2.5 million endowment to establish a Center for Ethical Leadership at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB).

Mick Ukleja is the founder and president of LeadershipTraQ in Cypress, a member of the university's Board of Governors and a CSULB graduate. Louise Ukleja is president of Opportunity Schools, which delivers programs for private school students with learning challenges.

The Uklejas are long-time donors to the university, and they have used their talents to be involved in the causes to which they have contributed. In the past their campus donations have been directed toward the athletics program, Disabled Student Services, the President's Scholars Program and the College of Business Administration.

Based upon the generosity of their recent gift, as well as their commitment to assist in raising additional funds to support its endowment, CSULB will request to officially name the center the Ukleja Center for Ethical Leadership at the California State University Board of Trustees meeting in March.

"The Uklejas' support of the Center for Ethical Leadership will not only impact our campus, but will greatly enhance the public dialogue of how ethics influences our lives on a daily basis," said Robert C. Maxson, CSULB president.

With a goal to serve as the preeminent center of thought about applied ethics in leadership in business and the professions among public universities in the western United States, the center will be established in CSULB's College of Business Administration. The center will assist companies and not-for-profit organizations in meeting the challenges and advancing the practice of ethical leadership.

Designed as an interdisciplinary organization, the center will draw upon the collective expertise of faculty and administrators from all of the university's colleges and well as its Division of Student Services, according to Luis Calingo, dean of the College of Business Administration.

The center will be the first named center of its kind in a California State University business school and is another first for the CSULB College of Business Administration, which received the 2002 California Prospector Award for commitment to quality and continuous improvement.

Media Contacts: Toni Beron, 562/985-4134 or Rick Gloady, 562/985-5454

Center Contacts: Luis Calingo, 562/985-5307 or Kathleen Lacey, 562/985-5668