Sharing is Caring — Philanthropy has had a profound impact on the university's progress. During the Legends & Legacies donor recognition gala, the university celebrates donors who have made substantial investments — $100,000 or more — toward the advancement of Cal State Fullerton. This year's event, held Sept. 25, paid tribute to: Platinum Legacy ($5 million or more) honoree Steven G. Mihaylo; Gold Legacy ($1 million-$4,999,999) honorees American Chemical Society, Lee and Nicholas A. Begovich, Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, UnitedHealth Group, Dorothy R. and James D. Young; and Silver and Bronze Legacy honorees. (See below for names)
Honorees were feted at a dinner that featured entertainment by alumna Erin McNally (B.A. theatre arts '02) and music majors Stephen Duran and Feliks Volozhanin. Annette Feliciani (B.A. business administration-finance '80), chair of the Cal State Fullerton Philanthropic Foundation Board of Governors, emceed the festivities. Alumnus Joseph Moderow (B.A. economics '70), retired senior vice president and general counsel for UPS and recipient of the university's Distinguished Alumni Award, offered humorous remarks, in tribute to Mihaylo.
The following are videos about the Platinum and some of the Gold Legacy honorees and the benefits gained as a result of their generosity.
Steven G. MihayloAlumnus Steven G. Mihaylo, who has given more than $34 million to the College of Business and Economics, is CEO and director of iMergent, an e-commerce company. “Over the years, I have been grateful for the education that I received at Cal State Fullerton and for the opportunities that I was afforded,” he says. “It is an honor to help support the growth of an institution where all students have the opportunity to succeed.”
Lee and Nicholas A. BegovichIn recognition of their recent $1 million gift to the Art Department, the university's Main Art Gallery was renamed the Lee and Nicholas Begovich Gallery. Longtime patrons of the arts, the Begoviches gifts exceed $1.16 million, enhancing multiple endowments that benefit scholarships, the Pollak Library and the arts.
Dorothy R. and James D. YoungIn addition to their $1 million in outright and planned gifts and
pledges, the Youngs have helped generate millions of dollars in gifts
and support for the university’s arts program from other generous
donors like themselves.
American Chemical SocietyThe American Chemical Society’s more than $1 million in gifts to the
university’s College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics have been in
the form of research grants to faculty.
Friends of the Fullerton ArboretumSince 2001, the nonprofit Friends of the Fullerton Arboretum have
raised more than $1 million to support many initiatives, including
major projects such as a nursery/greenhouse and plant sales area and
the Visitor’s Center. Every year, the Arboretum welcomes thousands of
visitors who attend classes, workshops and special events.
UnitedHealth GroupUnitedHealth Group awarded a $2 million grant to the College of Health
and Human Development to expand the enrollment capacity of the
university’s entry-level, pre-licensure nursing program. The grant
serves to address California’s critical nursing shortage and improve
health care for underserved communities.
Silver Legacy ($500,000-$999,999) honorees: Dr. Emma E. Holmes, The Kresge Foundation, Scott T. O’Brien Family, Orange County Great Park Corporation and Patrons of the Library; and Bronze Legacy ($100,000-$499,999) honorees: Richard Baillif, Theresa and Richard K. Davis, George Joseph, Jordan A. Law, Jack and Isabelle Lindquist, Rollin T. Sandberg, Margie and Jerry Schubert, Pam and Tom Summerfield, Jeffrey S. Van Harte, Melissa L. Smith, Anaheim Arena Management, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Baker Hughes, Baxter Healthcare Corp., BP America, The California Endowment, The California Wellness Foundation, CalOptima, Camille and Henry Dreyfus Foundation, Cofiroute USA, The David & Lucile Packard Foundation, Deloitte, Donahue Schriber, Ernst & Young, Ferruzzo & Ferruzzo, Freedom Communications, Fullerton Rotary South, General Electric, Graduate Management Admission Council, Hill Brothers Chemical Co., The John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, Leader Escrow, Nestle USA, Northrop Grumman Corp., Orange County Business Council, Orange County Community Foundation, Ralphs Food 4 Less Foundation, Research Corp., Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, RSM McGladrey, St. Joseph Health System, Summerfield Foundation, Tribune Co., Union Bank, Wells Fargo, White Nelson & Co. and The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
