October 18, 2005 :: No. 49

Anil Puri, dean of Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics, today announced a $15 million campaign to help build the college’s new home, Steven G. Mihaylo Hall, and to create endowments for student scholarships, academic programs and centers. Puri made the announcement at the 2006 Economic Forecast co-sponsored by Cal State Fullerton’s College of Business and Economics and the Orange County Business Council.

Joining Puri at the podium were Inter-Tel CEO Steven G. Mihaylo, the Class of ’69 CSUF alumnus responsible for a leadership gift of $4.5 million in cash and pledges, and Emulex CEO Paul Folino, who launched the campaign with a commitment of more than $1 million in support of the business college’s programs and new building.

“It took 34 years after graduating from the business school and a five-minute phone call from Dean Puri to reconnect me with my alma mater,” said Mihaylo, who chairs the campaign cabinet. “That was two years ago. My passion for education combined with Dean Puri’s vision for the business school led to my leadership commitment for this meaningful campaign,” he added. “Though my business, Inter-Tel, is in Arizona, it’s my privilege to work with dedicated alumni and business leaders in Orange County on this campaign,” he said, introducing Folino.

“I first became involved with this university when I participated in the Professor for a Day event at the College of Business and Economics and met Dean Puri. We became good friends and have been linked at the hip ever since with a common bond — to improve the quality of education for the students,” said Folino, who was honored earlier this year with the Orange County Titan Award at the university’s 10th annual Front & Center gala.

“Today, I serve on the College of Business and Economics Dean’s Advisory Board and through that activity, I’ve learned a great deal about the school’s current goals and its vision for the future. This organization understands the true value of education and demonstrates it each and every day through the quality of the curriculum, the exceptional faculty and the functional applications they teach,” Folino added.

Together with Mihaylo’s and Folino’s commitments, the campaign has garnered $11.7 million in cash and pledges toward its $15 million goal since the initiative began in 2002. It’s centerpiece is the five-story, $79 million structure named in honor of Mihaylo, whose $4.5 million contribution is the most by any individual in the university’s history.

Campaign donations will help fund construction of the 195,000-square-foot building, as well as student scholarships, endowed programs and professorships.

“Thanks to these gifts, reflecting the generosity of friends of Cal State Fullerton and our college, our dream of a building to call our own will soon become a reality,” said Puri, noting that while state funds will cover the bulk of the construction cost, private donations are a necessary component of the funding package.

“This building will enable us to provide a world-class business education and an optimal learning environment for our students.”

Steven G. Mihaylo Hall will be constructed on the southeast side of campus between Langsdorf Hall and the Fullerton Marriott. The building, which will house state-of-the-art classrooms, computer labs, student support facilities and faculty offices, is designed to incorporate elements for energy efficiency.

The College of Business and Economics campaign is emblematic of the recent efforts CSU campuses have undertaken in fundraising.

“Unlike private institutions and the UC campuses, it hasn’t been that long since campuses in the California State University system got into fundraising endeavors,” noted Puri. “We are appreciative of the many community and business leaders who serve on our campaign.”

Along with Mihaylo and Folino, those serving on the CBE’s campaign cabinet are: Jess Rae Booth, chairman manager, Alliance Eagle Group; Steve Charton (B.A. business administration ’71), president of the Charton Group; Robert B. Grant (B.A. business administration ’66), retired managing partner of Deloitte & Touche LLP; Joseph R. Moderow (B.A. economics ’70), retired senior counsel and vice president, UPS; Richard Muth, president of Orco Block Co.; Geoffrey S. Payne (B.A. business administration-finance ’80), president of Tahiti Partners Real Estate Development Corp.; Christopher G. Schmidt (B.A. business administration-accounting ’81), managing partner, Moss Adams LLP; Robert M. Taylor (B.A. ’67, MBA ’73), president of Real Estate Marketing and Management Group; and James D. Woods (B.A. business administration ’67), retired CEO of Baker Hughes.

Groundbreaking for Steven G. Mihaylo Hall is set for 3:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28. Site preparation begins next month. Construction is scheduled to begin in spring 2006 with completion set for 2008.

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