May 29, 2005

San Francisco State Uniuversity receives largest individual gift in its history
Alumni Manny and Neda Mashouf, of bebe stores, help fund new Creative Arts building

SAN FRANCISCO, May 28, 2005 (SFSU News) -- San Francisco State University has received the largest private individual gift pledge in its history: a $10 million donation from alumnus Manny Mashouf (top box), founder and chairman of bebe stores inc., and his wife Neda, who also is an SF State alum. The gift, announced today by SFSU President Robert A. Corrigan at the University's Commencement ceremony, will go toward a new performing and electronic media arts building for the SFSU College of Creative Arts.

The gift will provide private funding needed for the new building, which is planned to be named in honor of the Mashouf family. The private funding will enable the building project to be included on a future statewide ballot initiative that would, if passed, fund a variety of capital construction projects in public education through California bonds.

" Neda and I are excited to be a part of an innovative University that understands the changing needs of its community and the impact that technology has on every aspect of life such as music, art and business," said Manny Mashouf, who earned a bachelor's degree in political science from SF State in 1966. "The balance of career-focused education and ‘liberal' education is fundamental to SF State. I strongly believe the cultural fabric of our communities, grounded in technology and education, can be enriched by building new platforms for expression and by stimulating academia with consistent support to our educators and students." >>> Full text

Sent by Maziar Behrooz

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