On March 23, Shepherd Goodman stood on a stage to witness transformation on CSUN’s campus. Maple Hall, the university’s newest academic building, was officially renamed to the Ronni and Shepherd Goodman Hall.
The name honors a 61-year marriage that began when Shepherd, a first-generation student, met Ronni Pepperman at what was then known as San Fernando Valley State College. Married in June 1964, the couple built a life together, raising two sons, David and Adam, also present at the ceremony. Ronni passed away in June 2025.
“She was a visionary and the endowment of making the world a better place, providing hope and promise for future generations,” Goodman said of his late wife. “In tribute to her remarkable life, enduring spirit and exceptional legacy, I am honored to continue championing the cause most important to us, the students, faculty and staff of California State University, Northridge.”
Goodman emphasized that this family is committed to supporting students and faculty, while highlighting this building as a platform for “deeper, richer academic experiences, illustrative of critical thinking and the human experience.”
Marcelo Cabrera Figueroa, senator for the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (CSBS), echoed the impact of the $10 million investment. He noted that investments like these are “truly foundational experiences” for students, including him and his sister, which “create leaders and pioneers of the future.”
Yan Searcy, dean of the CSBS, added that the gift would help the college better serve its students, provide scholarships and increase the visibility of their work.
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Meera Komarraju described the building as more than just a space.
“It represents a promise,” she said. “We know that where we learn shapes how we learn and ultimately who we become.
Finally, CSUN President Erika D. Beck, who helped Goodman unveil the new sign, noted that when a name is placed on a building, it “etches more than letters into stone.”
“We inscribe a new name imbued with meaning on one of our academic buildings,” Beck said. “In so doing, we make a commitment not just to honor the past, but also to continue to shape our collective future.”
Beck added that the spirit of what the Goodman family believed would now be shared in every classroom.
“Their work has been extraordinary by any measure, but anyone who knows them knows that they understood that success is not measured by what you achieve, but by what you make possible for others,” she said. “And today, you make so many more things possible for others.”
