$30 Million Gift Names Mihaylo College of
Business and Economics

Cal State Fullerton rang in 2008 with a record-setting gift to the College of Business and Economics: $30 million from Steven G. Mihaylo '69 (B.A. business administration).

Mihaylo, a successful telecom entrepreneur and founder and retired CEO of Inter-Tel Inc., a manufacturer of voice and network equipment for small to mid-size businesses worldwide, joined CSUF President Milton A. Gordon, College of Business and Economics Dean Anil Puri and other campus leaders across from the nearly complete Mihaylo Hall on Jan. 4 to announce his gift.

It is the largest-ever gift to the university and the fourth largest in the history of the entire California State University system. In recognition of his generosity, the College of Business and Economics will be named in Mihaylo's honor. The California State University Board of Trustees approved the naming at its meeting Jan. 22-23.

"When we began celebrating our 50th anniversary last September, we never imagined that the year would include a defining event in the future of Cal State Fullerton," Gordon said. "We are indebted to Steve Mihaylo. His magnanimous gift is not only an expression of gratitude to his alma mater, but the strongest possible vote of confidence in this university's future."

Puri said the gift presents the school with a pivotal opportunity. "His transformational gift will underwrite expanded faculty recruitment and retention efforts, and the innovative programs required to deliver a world-class business education for the young people of Southern California," Puri noted, "establishing the Steven G. Mihaylo College of Business and Economics as one of the nation's top tier business schools."

Mihaylo previously made a $4.5 million leadership gift naming Steven G. Mihaylo Hall in 2004-05. The $87.5 million building, now under construction on the university's southeast corner, will open in fall 2008 with a 250-seat lecture hall, more than 30 modern classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, interactive technology labs and 10,000 square feet of collaborative working space for students.

The self-made entrepreneur said he is glad to give back to the university. "Over the years, I have been grateful for the education that I received at California State University, Fullerton," Mihaylo said. "It is an honor to support the mission of the College of Business and Economics and to help support the growth of an institution where all students have the opportunity to succeed."

Mihaylo's latest gift will support four specific areas: endowed chairs; faculty support; student scholarships; and programmatic activities, including enhanced career placement services and expansion of the MBA program.