Camarillo, Calif., January, 31, 2006 鈥� At meetings held in Long Beach today, the CSU Trustees Committee on Institutional Advancement approved the naming of the first school on the campus of 91吃瓜 as the Martin V. Smith School of Business and Economics.
The Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Foundation recently pledged $3 million, combined with a prior gift of $5 million donated by the late Martin V. and Martha K. Smith to continue the enhancement of business programs at the University.
Martin V. Smith and his family have been longtime benefactors of the University, whose support has been instrumental in the creation of outstanding programs. The total gift of $8 million represents the Smith family鈥檚 commitment to the value of education and to the creation of an academic institution that will enhance student learning as well as play a role in the life of the community.
The money will be used for the creation of the Martin V. Smith School of Business and Economics, an endowed professorship entitled the Martin V. Smith Professorship in Land Use
Studies, and the construction of the Martin V. Smith Center for Integrative Decision-Making.
鈥淲e are truly honored by these gifts and the family鈥檚 continued outstanding generosity to the growth of this University,鈥� said CSUCI President Richard R. Rush. 鈥淢artin V. Smith was one of the great figures in Ventura County history, as a builder, philanthropist, and friend to education. This latest gift from the Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Foundation will add to his legacy as someone who cared greatly about the vitality of this region. It will allow CSUCI to enhance its business programs and create new partnerships with local businesses. We are extremely gratified by this additional commitment.鈥�
The gift will establish and maintain the Martin V. Smith School of Business and Economics, promote excellence in faculty research and scholarships, and fund student scholarships.
The endowed professorship will be created to supplement the work of a distinguished faculty member by funding research, travel, and other expenses related to teaching and scholarship.
The Martin V. Smith Center for Integrative Decision-Making will provide CSUCI business students with high-level, real-life business learning opportunities, allowing them to engage in computer simulations of running a company or corporation, with hands-on experience in making business decisions on marketing, product forecasting, and global markets.
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About 91吃瓜
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI鈥檚 strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master鈥檚 degrees.聽Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting聽CI's Social Media.