June 3, 2004

UCSB Alumni House Receives Major Gifts, Closes in on Fund-Raising Goal

Eileen Conrad

UC Santa Barbara has received three major gifts totaling $850,000 for construction of the Mosher Alumni House, which will break ground Aug. 13.

The new center will provide the UCSB Alumni Association with enhanced facilities for expanded programming and services.

Long-time campus benefactor Sara Miller McCune, a trustee of The UCSB Foundation, pledged $250,000 to generate support for the project.

An anonymous alumni donor matched her gift.

In honor of the contributions, the library in the alumni center will be named the Sara Miller McCune and UCSB Alumni Library.

In addition, Jeff Henley, a UCSB graduate, and his wife, Judy, contributed $350,000 for the building.

The board room will be named for the generous donors, who previously established an endowed chair at UCSB in economics.

"Thanks to the generosity of UCSB alumni and friends, the long-awaited Mosher Alumni House will soon be a reality," said Peter Steiner, executive director of the UCSB Alumni Association.

The recent gifts bring to $8 million the total raised thus far toward a goal of $9.5 million for the privately funded center designed by architect Barry Berkus, an alumnus and a trustee of The UCSB Foundation.

The 10,000 square foot building will be located at the University Plaza entrance to the campus at the intersection of Mesa Road, north of Campbell Hall.

Named in recognition of a lead gift from The Samuel B. and Margaret C. Mosher Foundation, the facility will serve as a focal point to welcome returning graduates who want to renew their association with the campus and take part in alumni activities. It will also be a gathering place for other visitors with public meeting facilities.

About UC Santa Barbara

The University of California, Santa Barbara is a leading research institution that also provides a comprehensive liberal arts learning experience. Our academic community of faculty, students, and staff is characterized by a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration that is responsive to the needs of our multicultural and global society. All of this takes place within a living and learning environment like no other, as we draw inspiration from the beauty and resources of our extraordinary location at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.