Stephen G. Mihaylo Hall. Photo by Kelly Lacefield.
Cal State Fullerton Celebrates New Business Building
Daylong Festivities to Mark Dedication of $88 Million Mihaylo Hall
What:
Cal State Fullerton celebrates the Oct. 17 dedication of the new home of the Steven G. Mihaylo College of Business and Economics — the largest accredited business college in California — with daylong tours, presentations and an address by California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.
When:
Friday, Oct. 17
10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
Where:
Steven G. Mihaylo Hall — located at the corner of Folino Drive and Nutwood Avenue — 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton, 92831
Schedule:
10 a.m. — Tours begin of the five-story structure named in honor of Cal State Fullerton alumnus Steven G. Mihaylo, founder and retired CEO of Phoenix-based Inter-Tel, a publicly traded provider of communications hardware, software and services.
10:30 a.m. — Time capsule ceremony and ribbon-cutting in the building’s central courtyard.
1:30 p.m. — Welcoming remarks by Cal State Fullerton President Milton A. Gordon and Anil Puri, dean of Mihaylo College of Business and Economics, in the Charton Family Lecture Theatre, Room 1502
2 p.m. — California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner delivers keynote address in the Charton Family Lecture Theatre, Room 1502
2:45 p.m. — Receptions and tours
Mihaylo Hall:
The five-story, 195,000-square-foot building features high-tech classrooms and computer labs, a 250-seat tiered lecture hall, and a state-of-the art interactive facility designed for nurturing collaboration and engagement. The gadgets inside would appeal to Harry Potter: Room Wizard, Huddle Boards, Walk-and-Talk, Copy Cam and Thunder — all digital communication products donated by Tangram Interiors and Steelcase to create a first-of-its-kind learning environment in Southern California.
Room 2505 is equipped with four projectors, computers and technology-rich white boards for displaying and then capturing information. While there, students’ and faculty members’ lecture materials, notes, drawings and doodles can be copied, stored, projected and e-mailed to those enrolled in the class. Mobile furniture, the use of virtual flip charts and a remote-controlled interactive panel are designed to promote a dynamic classroom environment.
Mihaylo Hall is dotted with meeting rooms for graduate and honors students, as well as facilities designed for tutoring sessions and student clubs. The James D. Woods Grand Foyer doubles as a study hall and lounge for students getting together between classes. Upstairs, are the college’s centers and institutes, plus administrative and office space.
The building’s design incorporates elements for energy savings, including energy-efficient lighting systems, a reflectant roof system, sun-shading devices, windows with high-performance glazing and an automated building control system. Landscaping for the structure includes native, drought-tolerant plants. Visitors to the terrace will find a cactus garden.
Architect for the project is Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum Inc.; contractor is Turner Construction Co. Construction. Construction began in spring 2006 and was completed in July.
Steven G. Mihaylo:
The building is named for 1969 graduate Steven G. Mihaylo, who has given more than $34 million to the College of Business and Economics, including the record-breaking $30 million gift announced in January. It’s the largest gift ever for the university and the fourth largest in the history of the 23-campus California State University system.
Mihaylo spent three years in the U.S. Army, then attended Cal State Fullerton with the aid of the GI Bill. During his college years, the budding entrepreneur supported himself by working the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shift at McDonnell Douglas. With bachelor’s degree in hand, he turned down an accounting job to follow his dream of building his own business — a dream he fulfilled with Phoenix-based Inter-Tel, which achieved sales revenue of $1 million by 1975. He served as CEO until February 2006, the year annual revenues topped more than $458 million; the company was sold in 2007.
“Over the years, I have been grateful for the education that I received at California State University, Fullerton and for the opportunities that I was afforded,” Mihaylo said. “It is an honor to support the mission of the College of Business and Economics and to help support the growth of an institution where all students have the opportunity to succeed.”
Mihaylo College:
With 8,664 students, Cal State Fullerton’s Mihaylo College of Business and Economics has the largest enrollment among accredited business colleges in California. In addition, it is among just 25 percent of business colleges nationwide to hold accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The university’s accounting program is among 163 programs nationally — and the only one in Orange County — with additional specialized accreditation.
Media Contact:
Pam McLaren, Public Affairs, 657-278-4852 or pmclaren@fullerton.edu
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