Posted on Dec 01, 2007

Gift to help with library construction

President Dianne F. Harrison has announced a $1 million grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation for the construction of the Tanimura & Antle Family Memorial Library.

"This leadership gift is a major vote of confidence in the university," said Dr. Harrison. "It represents the Foundation's deep commitment toward student success, and it sends a strong message to our community about the importance of private support for the library."

Don Chapin, chair of CSUMB's President's Council, emphasized the importance of this gift to the region.

"The Packard Foundation's gift is key to assuring the finest education for our children, grandchildren and beyond," said Mr. Chapin, a regional business leader. "Its investment in the Tanimura & Antle library reminds us of how vital it is that all of our communities- university, friends, parents, alumni and students - come together to support this crucial building campaign."

With its stunning architecture, soaring atrium providing natural light, and views to Monterey and the Salinas Valley, the library will be the defining facility on campus, and a regional landmark. In addition to its beautiful design and functionality, the building will include a range of sustainable design features, including an innovative climate control system that is expected to result in the use of 28 percent less energy than California's latest energy code requires.

Anyone wishing to take a student-led tour of the library site can arrange it by calling Steve Weldon, director of Planned Giving, at 582-3070.

The Packard Foundation has been providing key financial support to the university since CSUMB's first years. It was created in 1964 by David Packard, the co-founder of the Hewlett-Packard Company, and Lucile Salter Packard. Throughout their lives in business and philanthropy, the Packards sought to use private funds for the public good, giving back to a society that enabled them to prosper.

The Packard gift is a second major gift the university has received recently. In October, Dr. Harrison announced that the late Marian K. Krause, through her charitable trust and estate, left the university $4 million to be used for scholarships.