Hauths Donate Additional $1 Million for Communication Skills Center

Luster E. Hauth, emeritus professor of speech communication, and his wife, Audrey Nichol Hauth, donated $1 million to CSULB, continuing their support of the Center for Communication Skills that bears their names.

It is the couple’s second $1 million gift. The first came in 1999 to establish the Luster E. and Audrey Nichol Hauth Center for Communication Skills. At the time, it was the largest gift of its kind from a retired professor in the California State University system. This second donation adds to that legacy.

“Because of our first gift to CSULB, the Hauth Center has been well established, serving students, faculty and staff,” said Luster Hauth. “Through this second gift, we see the Hauth Center becoming more visible, playing an integral part in the education of the students, and becoming more expansive, including reaching out to the Long Beach community.”

The Hauths’ latest gift is another gesture in their support for public education in general, and, in particular, to the CSULB Communication Studies Department, where Luster Hauth taught for 28 years before retiring in 1992. Audrey Nichol Hauth, a CSULB alumna, was a highly regarded teacher at Westminster High School for more than 20 years.

“Cal State Long Beach is fortunate to have people like the Hauths as part of the university’s family,” said President F. King Alexander. “Having both worked for public education institutions, they are aware of the importance of our mission. Even in their retirement, the Hauths have continued to work tirelessly to prepare students for their educational and professional careers by enhancing the communication skills of thousands of students. We are extremely grateful for their generosity and the interdisciplinary value of this gift.”

“This seems to be a time of communication fall-out; people just can’t get along. If more people

At the Hauth presentation were (seated, left to right) Luster Hauth, Audrey Hauth, President F. King Alexander and Bridgette Pruitt, University Foundation. Standing (l-r) are former Vice President for University Relations and Development Robert Bersi, Communications Studies Chair Sharon Downey, Communication Studies Professors Tim Plax and Pat Kearney and Dean for the College of Liberal Arts Gerry Riposa.

had good communication skills, they would be better survivors in our tumultuous world,” Audrey Hauth pointed out. “Hopefully, the Hauth Center will give students communication skills that will help them become effective communicators and, thus, more successful in their personal worlds.”

The Hauth Center annually serves some 2,000 campus and community members who want to improve their communication skills. Using state-of-the-art video and audio technology and individualized assistance, center staff work with campus and community members who need help with class or professional presentations and communication, employment and group interviewing skills, group facilitation, lecture preparation and presentation and use of presentation software. At the same time, the center provides observational and research opportunities.

For more information, visit www.csulb.edu/centers/hauth.