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Press Releases | |
May 21, 2000
Contact:
Chancellor Robert F.X. Sillerman Pledges $15 Million for Southampton College of Long Island University
Jane Finalborgo
(631) 287 8313
Fax: (631) 283 4081Largest Gift in College's History will Support Scholarships and Library Expansion
SOUTHAMPTON, NY -- Robert F.X. Sillerman and his wife Laura Baudo Sillerman have pledged, through their Tomorrow Foundation, an additional $15 million to Southampton College of Long Island University, $10 million for scholarships and $5 million toward the renovation and expansion of the Library. Sillerman announced the donation during his remarks to the graduating class at the 34th annual commencement ceremonies Sunday, May 21.
Their gift is by far the largest philanthropic commitment in the history of the College. The Sillermans have already donated $2.5 million to the College to finance the construction of Chancellors Hall, a $10 million academic center that opened in the fall of 1998.
"Bob and Laura Sillerman, through their unparalleled generosity, are enabling Southampton College to achieve its dreams," said Provost Tim Bishop. "We are deeply grateful to them for this investment in education that will benefit generations of future students as well as the entire East End of Long Island."
Laura Sillerman, President of the Tomorrow Foundation, said of the gift. "A College's dreams are a nation's dreams: the hope for enlightened citizens who believe in giving back. The Tomorrow Foundation is privileged to have an association with a college that teaches enlightenment in every encounter with every student."
Sillerman, now in his seventh year as Southampton College Chancellor, is Executive Chairman of SFX Entertainment Inc., the world's largest diversified promoter, producer and venue operator for live entertainment events. In April 1993, President David Steinberg appointed him Chancellor of Southampton College as he became a member of the University's Board of Trustees.
"Bob's extraordinary vision and leadership have sparked a transformation that is establishing the College as a national institution. He has been a major force in the revitalization of the College," said Steinberg. "This new gift for the improvement of the Library goes to the very heart of the academic experience at any institution of higher learning."
University in transformation. The gift comes only a week after another donor, West Coast financier Gary Winnick, announced a $10 million donation to Long Island University's C.W. Post Campus at that campus' commencement last Sunday. Winnick is a 1969 graduate of C.W. Post. Two years ago Edmund T. Pratt, Jr., former chairman and CEO of Pfizer Inc., and his wife, Jeanette, donated $12 million, which is being divided equally among the University's three residential campuses. This winter the Tilles Family committed $2 million for capital improvements and to establish the Rose Tilles University Professorship in Performing Arts and Distinguished Artist-in-Residence at the C.W. Post Campus. These and other gifts bring the total of significant new gifts over the last two years to over $40 million.
The Sillerman's pledge is expected to help accelerate the programmatic and physical renaissance now underway throughout the University. Already, during David Steinberg's tenure as president more than $175 million worth of construction and modernization has taken place, and the University has added two Ph.D. programs, expanded availability of scholarships, introduced a significant information technology initiative, and witnessed a ten-fold increase in its endowment.
Plans for the $7 million expansion of the Southampton College Library/Learning Center, which are still in development, will incorporate rapidly changing technological innovations in the storage and dissemination of the written word and provide inviting study and research space for students, faculty and community residents.
Sillerman said his gift reflects his belief in Southampton College and its potential. "It's exciting to be associated with a college on the move," he said. "The new masters program in writing, the continuing excellence of the internationally-renowned marine and environmental programs, the construction of Chancellors Hall, the expansion of our public radio station WPBX, and our 35 Fulbright Scholars are all indicators of a vibrant and growing institution."
Sillerman, who has homes in New York City and Southampton, is a media and entertainment executive with over 25 years of investment and operating experience. Most recently he founded SFX Entertainment (NYSE:SFXE) which quickly became the world's largest presenter and promoter of live entertainment. SFX has agreed to be acquired through merger by Clear Channel Communications (NYSE:CCU) for over $4 billion.
The Sillermans helped launch and sponsor the popular All For The Sea summer concerts that have raised millions for the College's outstanding marine and environmental programs. In the fall of 1998 they cut the ribbon officially opening Chancellors Hall, the 38,000-square-foot building they named in tribute to the honor and responsibilities of the office of Chancellor. The building houses classrooms, science and computer labs, studios for WBPX 88.3FM, and the Angier Biddle Duke Memorial Lecture Hall, named in honor of the College's first chancellor.