$2.3 Million Gift to Build Conference Center at Cal State San Marcos

A gift of $2.353 million from former furniture store owners JoAn and Richard A. McMahan will allow construction of a 3,800 square foot meeting and conference facility on the campus of California State University San Marcos. Officials announced the gift pending approval by the Trustees of the California State University at a meeting September 20 and 21, 2005.

"This gift allows us to move ahead on a project that we have needed for years," said President Karen S. Haynes. "The McMahan House will allow us to host meetings and conferences that will bring members of the community to campus and help us enhance relationships with the communities we serve."

The McMahan House will be located atop a knoll near the main entrance to the campus. When completed, it will offer a view of both the existing campus buildings to the east and the site of future recreational and athletic facilities to the north and west. The facility is seen as the centerpiece of a complex of buildings to be located on the knoll that could include an alumni house, a guest house and additional meeting space. Additional funding would be required for the other buildings.

Richard McMahan was the chief executive of the family-owned McMahan Furniture Company of Carlsbad for more than 45 years. McMahan Furniture opened its first store in Bakersfield in 1919 and grew to more than 100 stores in California, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas before being sold to east coast furniture retailer Heilig-Myers in 1993. Mr. McMahan founded Western Family National Bank and Western Family Insurance Company.

The McMahans have supported a variety of charities and service organizations, and have been donors to the San Luis Obispo and Monterey campuses in the CSU.

Planning and design of the McMahan House is beginning immediately. No date has been set for construction.

Media Contact: Rick Moore (760) 750-4011