On Nov. 8 a ceremony will be held in which the College of Arts, Media and Communication will be renamed the Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication. The California State University Board of Trustees approved the name change in September.
Curb, who was a former student at CSUN when it was known as San Fernando Valley State College in the 1960s, recently pledged to give a $10 million endowment to the university, with most of it going toward CSUN’s music program.
The college naming was approved unanimously by the CSU trustees.
Curb said that he is very appreciative of the college being named after him.
“I’m looking forward to coming and I’m trying to bring both of my daughters,” he said.
When asked what led to his gift, Curb said he always remembered his time at CSUN.
“I always had very good memories of my time at CSUN. When I was there (at CSUN) what is now Cyprus Hall used to be called Music Hall and I took a music class as a freshman ? and that was where I made my first tapes,” he said.
“I was extremely impressed when I heard CSUN set up their own (music industry) program. Joel Leach, who started the program, is doing a fantastic job,” he said.
Curb also said that the reason he gave the gift is because he knows he cannot take it with him to the grave.
“I just found out yesterday that one of my best friends was diagnosed with cancer. So, if you give (money) away while you’re alive you can direct where it goes,” he said.
Curb went on describing his experiences in the record industry and a parallel he sees existing between it and college.
“Understanding diversity is key. It’s key to understanding all people if you’re in politics, race, religion and all walks of life. Graduate and stay in school,” is what he said would be his biggest piece of advice for students.
Curb talked about targeting education and how important it is for students to see a university offering students the ability to study and be immersed in the subjects they love the most so that they will be more likely to take the other classes curriculums require and thus graduate from school.
“I won an award for being producer of the year and Gary Owens (the broadcaster) presented it and said, ‘This is the first time this is being given to someone who can’t turn on the soundboard of the studio’ and that lets you know how much I could’ve done, I couldn’t do my own engineering,” he said when talking about how much more completing his education could’ve helped him.
Those at CSUN see the ceremony as a great opportunity for the school.
“This is fantastic and a significant highlight for the university,” said Dave Moon, interim dean of the college.
“We’ve been honored a lot (over) the years and it has attracted gifts and it continues to establish us,” he said.
