DONORS SUPPORT A DESIGN SHOP UPGRADE

A new lab being created as a part of the Design Department’s remodeling will be named in memory of the 23-year-old industrial design student who was killed in the November terrorist attacks in Paris.

“We have not yet officially named it, but when we do it will be called ‘The Nohemi Gonzalez Shop’,” said Department Chair Martin Herman.

Gonzalez, the only American to be killed in the attacks, was a familiar face in the Design Department having been entrusted, as a student assistant in the shops, with teaching students how to operate machinery. After her passing, CSULB created two funds in honor of Gonzalez – one to support international study-abroad scholarships and another to renovate and purchase new equipment for a lower-division workshop in the Design Department.

“The Nohemi Gonzalez Fund for International Study raised over $100,000 in the fall of 2015,” Herman said. “The current Shop Initiative has raised close to $50,000 towards a $150,000 goal.”

Progress toward the Shop Initiative goal was advanced in large part due to the efforts of Board of Governors member Ken Miller, who led a campaign to solicit gifts from each BOG member. A large majority of the group made financial commitments of $1,000 toward the project.

A donor recognition event was held on June 6 to acknowledge individuals who supported either campaign. A dedication ceremony for the refurbished shop will take place when the department has raised more funds, Herman confirmed.