His gift stole the show at Front & Center 2010
Steve Miller, center in the back row, starred in 2010’s Front & Center and surprised even President Milton A. Gordon with his gift to Cal State Fullerton.
At this year’s Front & Center event, headliner Steve Miller made a surprise announcement during a pause between songs. He pledged $25,000 to Cal State Fullerton scholarships. It was the first for a headliner at the annual Front & Center event, dedicated to raising funds for the President’s Scholars Program – a unique merit-based scholarship program that awards four-year academic scholarships to incoming freshmen.
“This was absolutely a surprise to me,” said President Milton A. Gordon, who noted, “this is the first time any of the Front & Center performers actually gave back.” As for the performance, he said, “Steve Miller was really outstanding. … It was a great night.”
The Steve Miller Band continues to be one of the top concert attractions on the road every summer. Songs such as “Fly Like an Eagle,” “Rock ’n Me,” “The Joker,” “Jet Airliner” and “Livin’ in the U.S.A.” continue to air daily on classic rock stations across the country. The band’s “Greatest Hits 1974-1978” album sold more than 18 million copies and remains one of the best-selling records of all time.
Moved by the generosity and enthusiam of the crowd, Miller announced the gift after thanking the audience. “You made it possible for a lot of students to come here and go to school and get a scholarship, so we applaud you for that. Thank you so much,” said Miller to widespread applause. “I figure if you can put your money out there, so can I.”
For information about giving to the President’s Scholars Program, please contact Melissa Cohea at 657-278-4446.