The Pyramid to be renamed at upcoming reception

By Bryan Howell
Online Forty-Niner
Contributing Writer

On Dec. 13, The Pyramid at Cal State Long Beach will finally be given a name. The official announcement will be made at a reception held in The Pyramid commemorating the seven families who recently donated $3.3 million to the university.

Longtime boosters of the university, Mike and Arline Walter, have donated $2.3 million to the athletic department and, after approval by the California State University trustees, The Pyramid will become the Walter Pyramid. The Walter family has supported CSULB for years, donating over $500,000 in the past decade.

In addition to honoring the support of the Walter family the reception will also recognize five other families who have recently combined to make the fourth largest donation in CSULB history. Contributions from the Ukleja, Bickerstaff, Vind, Dickson, Moore and Suares families total $1.2 million and will be used for academics.

"The reception has been organized by the Athletic Association and CSULB Alumni Association and it will pay tribute to the recent generosity of the families who made a remarkable donation," said Dede Rossi,"assistant athletic director and a committee member for the reception.

"CSULB is the largest campus in the California State University system and the second-largest university in California," said Aristide Collins, the vice president of University Relations and Development. "The generosity of our alumni and friends provides the margin of excellence to provide faculty and student scholarships."

The donations made to the athletic department will also set up the Legacy Initiative, a new five-year commitment to generate $1 million to improve sports operations. Rossi feels that the recent donations may spark increased interest from other donors, who will further support CSULB Athletics.

Those in attendance for Monday's reception include many of CSULB's faculty, staff and students as well as members of the community who have been involved with the university over the years.

"Receiving a donation this large is a rare and important event and so those in attendance reflect the significance of the occasion," Rossi said. "We are expecting department chairs, the Alumni Board member cabinet, Associated Student officers, the Academic Senate, deans and the Athletic Association board members."

The Cal State Long Beach athletics program has an annual budget of $9 million, so giving thanks for a $2.1 million donation has been very important. Making sure the donors are applauded for their generosity is a top priority and the athletics department felt the best way to do so was to organize a reception.

"I had no idea that someone had made a donation that size," CSULB senior Nicole Gilles said. "I think it's great that the school has put a reception together to give thanks to those who take an active interest in promoting the quality of Cal State Long Beach."