Camarillo, Calif., Sept., 14, 2011 - The Twelfth-Annual CSU Channel Islands President's Dinner will take place on Sunday, Oct. 2, at Limoneira Ranch in Santa Paula. The gala event – Una Bella Sera – will include the presentation of the CSU Channel Islands Robert J. Lagomarsino Award and celebrate the University's accomplishments.
The Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Foundation and the Smith Family have been named the 2011 recipient of the Lagomarsino Award. The award, named in honor of the Honorable Robert J. Lagomarsino, a former United States congressman and a longtime supporter of the University, is presented to individuals who have contributed to and supported CSU Channel Islands (CI).
Throughout their lives, Martha and Martin V. "Bud" Smith were known for their philanthropy and support of the community by funding education causes, including the creation and development of CSU Channel Islands (CI). Their instrumental role in the growth of the University led to the creation of many of its programs. The Smith family named the Martin V. Smith School of Business & Economics at CI and their gift built the Martin V. Smith Center for Integrative Decision-Making as well as endowed the MVS Professorship of Economics which is now held by Dr. Sung Won Sohn, named one of the nation's top five economic forecasters by the Wall Street Journal. The Foundation also provided funding that was essential to launching the Institute for Global Economic Research at CSU Channel Islands.
Prior to their passing, Martha and Bud Smith established the Martin V. and Martha K. Foundation within the Ventura County Community Foundation. Since 1994, this foundation has funded nonprofits in Ventura County through an annual grant program. The family's philanthropic and active community participation did not stop with Martha and Martin Smith as their four daughters, Antoinette Gardiner, Marjorie Tegland, Victoria Pozzi, and Lucinda Daley, now continue the work of the foundation and the Smith family legacy. Pozzi and Daley have served as active CSU Channel Islands Foundation Board directors, and all four daughters continue to support CI.
The President's Dinner is the premier fund-raising event of the year for the University. Sponsors for the event include Title sponsor, Rabobank; platinum sponsor, Bank of America; and gold sponsor, Wells Fargo. Silver sponsors include Harrison Industries, Montecito Bank & Trust, and Van Gundy Jewelers. Bronze sponsors include Aera Energy LLC, Canteen of Coastal California, Elise and William Kearney, and SAGE Publications, Inc. Malibu Family Wines, Duke of Bourbon-Canoga Park, Michelob Ultra, Shock Top, Go Green Mobile Power, and Pacific Coast Business Times are also contributing sponsors for the event.
In addition to the presentation of the Lagomarsino Award, guests at this elegant Italian-themed event will enjoy a five course gourmet menu complimented by fine wines created exclusively for the occasion, and bid on exciting and unique live and silent auctions all at an exquisite historic venue.
For more event information or to purchase tickets, contact Alissa Larreta, Events Specialist at 805-437-8916 or visit www.csuci.edu and click on the President's Dinner link.
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About California State University Channel Islands
CSU Channel Islands(CI) is the only four-year, public university in Ventura County and is known for its interdisciplinary, multicultural and international perspectives, and its emphasis on experiential and service learning. CI’s strong academic programs focus on business, sciences, liberal studies, teaching credentials, and innovative master’s degrees. Students benefit from individual attention, up-to-date technology, and classroom instruction augmented by outstanding faculty research. CI has been designated by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is committed to serving students of all backgrounds from the region and beyond. Connect with and learn more by visiting CI's Social Media.