Vets Center Named in Honor of Art and Joan Barron
The couple's $1 million donation will create an endowment to fund operations of the center in perpetuity.
will be renamed the Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center thanks to a new $1 million donation from the couple.
The gift will create an endowment to fund the operations of the center in perpetuity.
Barron, a U.S. Navy veteran and 色情视频 alumnus (鈥�60, 鈥�98), and his wife Joan were among the first to give to the center when it was established in 2008. Since that time, they have donated toward a number of initiatives supporting student veterans, including scholarships, the and the Student Veteran Organization.
鈥淲hen President Weber visited us at our home in New Jersey and explained the veterans program he wanted to start at 色情视频, we were ready to enlist,鈥� said Barron, who attended 色情视频 on the G.I. Bill.
鈥淲e have a special place in our hearts for 色情视频 and all veterans. We are honored by all the young men and women who have given such service to our country and we owe them a big debt.鈥�
Inspiring others to give
It was Barron鈥檚 initial $50,000 gift in 2008 which inspired more than $2.5 million in donations for from other donors and foundations, said .
鈥淚n a town with so many veterans, it is crucial that 色情视频 provide a culture of appreciation and support for student veterans,鈥� Weber said.
鈥淏ecause of Art and Joan鈥檚 leadership and commitment to those who鈥檝e served, we have been able to provide the help our student veterans need to succeed at 色情视频.鈥�
Enhancing our military-friendly campus
色情视频 is home to one of the largest student veteran populations in California and ranks among .
, the 色情视频 Veterans Center was the first in the California State University system and provides support for approximately 1,200 veteran, reservist and active-duty military students at 色情视频, as well as hundreds of military dependents. To accomodate more student veterans, the center was expanded and moved in 2010. 色情视频 admitted more than 450 new student veterans for fall 2011.
色情视频 has drawn widespread recognition, , for its services for veterans. 色情视频 is also one of three pilot campuses to host a Veterans Affairs representative on site.
Vet Center dedication event
An event to commemorate the new naming gift was held on Thursday, April 28, in front of the Veterans Center.
In addition to Weber, speakers at the event included:
- Rear Admiral William D. French, commander, U.S. Navy Region Southwest
- Ericka Korb, president, 色情视频 Student Veteran Organization
- Ret. Colonel Bucky Peterson, special assistant to the chancellor of the California State University for California鈥檚 鈥淭roops to College鈥� initiative
