California State University, Bakersfield's Cornerstone Campaign has passed the halfway mark, raising nearly $1.5 million to augment the Business Development Center. The building complex will house the School of Business and Public Administration and the new Leadership Development Center. The center is the focal point of the three-year $11 million Cornerstone Campaign announced late last year.

CSUB President Tomas Arciniega announced the milestone today at a news conference. "We're delighted by the initial response to this campaign," Arciniega said. "People recognize that an investment in CSUB is an investment in their future."

Greg Bynum, chairman of the Cornerstone Campaign executive committee and a CSUB alumnus, is excited about the success of the campaign thus far.

"I feel fortunate that so many friends of the university are coming forward to help with this important effort," Bynum said. "We want to make this a state-of-the-art complex that will not only enhance the learning for CSUB students, but also be a wonderful resource for area residents as well. I encourage everyone who is interested in making a gift and being part of this campaign to call me or the University Advancement division at CSUB. We need support from the entire community."

"Under the leadership of Greg Bynum and the campaign committee, we've had a wonderful response during the quiet phase of our campaign," CSUB Vice President for University Advancement Michael Chertok said. "People in the community realize that for the university to provide a first-rate education we need to enhance what the state provides. Those who help lay the foundation for the future can be assured that their investment will pay long-term community dividends. The money that people give to CSUB provides opportunities not only for students but also the community as a whole through the state-of-the-art facilities and expanded cultural and educational events."

The building for the School of Business and Public Administration will be the largest of the four buildings forming the Business Development Center, providing much needed classroom space in addition to faculty offices. Technological advances in the workplace dictate training students on state-of-the-art equipment and in state-of-the-art settings.

Private funds will be used to expand the classroom, changing the seating to elevated tiers and adding state-of-the-art information technology to make it a "smart classroom." Smart classrooms will have computer hookups at each seat, enabling students to sit down and plug their computers into the Internet, allowing them access to CSUB classes and professors electronically. The smart classrooms will enhance students' ability to engage in dialogue with professors, outside information sources and other students, thus enhancing their education.

A focal point of the Business Development Center is construction of a privately funded Leadership Development Center. The center is envisioned as being used by business groups for training and to augment the learning experiences of their employees.

The Leadership Development Center will contain:

• Conference and classroom facilities equipped with the latest computing and communication technologies, capable of national and international video conferencing, and other multimedia resentations.
  
  
• Two 45-seat executive conference rooms and seminar rooms equipped with the latest telecommunications equipment, "smart rooms."
  
  
• Rooms with movable walls, allowing individual configuration for seminars or networking, space that is available for impromptu learning opportunities. Such configurations will allow community members and groups to take full advantage of an important community resource.
  
  
• Small meeting rooms for students and community groups to work in various groups of up to a dozen.
  
  
• Informal meeting areas or lounges where students, faculty and business leaders can interact. Plans include laptop computer hookups in the lounges to enhance learning.
  
  
• "Breakout" rooms for small-group sessions and meetings, and study rooms.
  
  
• Interview rooms for use during recruitment season.

Other state funds will be used to build the Extended University building and the university administrative building.

In addition to Bynum and Arciniega, members of the Cornerstone Campaign Executive Committee are Millie Ablin, Lou Barbich, John Brock Sr., Bruce Bunker, Jim Burke, Joan Dezember, Ray Dezember, Bruce Freeman, Judy Fritch, John Pryor, Jerry Stanners, Ray Watson Sr., and Milt Younger.

Corporate Donors through Jan. 7:
Aera Energy
AT&T Wireless
Castle & Cooke
Karpe Real Estate
The Merchants Association of Bakersfield and the Sears Family
Pacific Gas and Electric Co.
State Farm Insurance Cos.
Tejon Ranch Co.
Skeet Varner Foundation
Wells Fargo Bank

Individual Donors through Jan. 7:
Tomás and Connie Arciniega
John and Gladys Brock
Jim and Bebe Burke
Greg and Mary Bynum '72/'73
W. Michael and Dona Chertok
Rayburn and Joan Dezember
Dan and Mikie Hay
Michael and Judy Neal '73/82, '94
Ray and Marlene Watson
William and Laura Wolfe
Milt and Betty Younger