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Trustees approve naming of San Diego States Duran Sciences Building after $20 million gift
Summary
The CSU Board of Trustees Committee on Institutional Advancement voted to approve naming a new 79,700-square-foot San Diego State University science facility the Duran Sciences Building following a $20 million lead gift from donor Jessica Sowerwitz.
The Committee on Institutional Advancement of the CSU Board of Trustees approved a facility-naming request to designate a new San Diego State University science building the Duran Sciences Building after a $20,000,000 cash gift from donor Jessica Sowerwitz.
The vote came during the committees meeting when Greg Sachs, vice chancellor for external relations and communications, and Adela de la Torre, president of San Diego State University, presented the proposal and described the project. The proposed 79,700-square-foot building will include wet labs, research space, computer and instructional labs, faculty offices, and collaborative space for students, faculty and industry partners; schematics and financing were scheduled for presentation to a joint finance and campus planning committee the following day.
"This gift marks her sixth and most generous donation to SDSU, underscoring her deep commitment to our university's mission and the communities we have the privilege of serving," President Adela de la Torre said, introducing Sowerwitz and the universitys plans.
Sachs and De la Torre told trustees the naming also recognizes Sowerwitzs previous philanthropy, including a 2023 gift of $2,500,000 that established an endowment for Guardian Scholars, a program for students who are current or former foster youth, wards of the court, under legal guardianship, or unaccompanied homeless youth. De la Torre said Sowerwitz asked that the building honor her parents, Enrozinca and Ellie Duran.
Megan McKenna, director of private giving, spoke remotely on behalf of Sowerwitz and said the donor was traveling and sent her "deep gratitude" to the university and trustees for approving the naming.
A motion to approve the naming carried on a roll-call vote. The committees roll call recorded unanimous support from trustees present; the committee chair announced the motion passed.
The committee approved the naming as a formal action; the projects design and financing were to be considered by the Joint Committee on Finance and Campus Planning, Buildings and Spaces the next day, per the presentation.
