Same building, different name

By Linda Prendez, On-Line Forty-Niner

Thursday, November 5, 1998

Big black letters on the walls of the Cal State Long Beach administration building spell the name of a man that few students have ever heard of: Dr. E. James Brotman.

On Wednesday morning in front of the fountain, within clear view of the hall's new name, Brotman was introduced by President Robert C. Maxson to a handful of students as "the man that's paying for your education."

Since 1992, the retired Los Angeles physician has given $4.5 million to the university to support the national merit finalists and high school valedictorians recruited by Maxson for the President's Scholars Program. The moneys have also supported science students who are granted similar scholarships under the Brotman's Scholars Program.

More than four months ago, administrators decided to name the building after Brotman as a gesture of gratitude for his generosity. Since the beginning of the semester, the hall has donned Brotman's name. However, not until Wednesday was the building finally dedicated.

President Maxson dedicated the hall and commended Brotman in front of CSULB college deans, administrators and students, who gathered for a ceremony and reception.

Perhaps the most peculiar aspect of Brotman's philanthropy is that it is the only manner by which he has ever been affiliated with the university. He is not an alumnus and he has never even lived in Long Beach.

Brotman's undergraduate studies were done at Pomona College and he attended medical school at USC.

"If I funded those schools, I wouldn't be able to help as many students because tuition is so much higher," Brotman said.

The decision to fund CSULB was not that simple. In 1992, Brotman called several universities to research the academic development and student programs. About the same time, administrators were developing new programs to revitalize the university. He decided on CSULB and immediately established the Brotman's Scholars Program.