Nazarian Gift

About the David Nazarian Gift

On March 26, California State University, Northridge’s College of Business and Economics proudly announced that Mr. David Nazarian ’82 has pledged to help lead a $25 million fundraising drive and launched that effort with a $10 million cash gift. In recognition of his gift and pledge of continued support, CSUN has named its college of business the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics.

This gift for current and future generations of CSUN students will enable the university to be a leader in delivering world-class business education to students throughout Southern California.

The Impact of the Gift

The gift and fundraising initiative for the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics will have a positive impact on every program, resulting in national and international recognition.

The gift will enhance entrepreneurship and international programming, provide professional development and career assistance to students, and elevate the success of women in business. The impact of this gift and the program enhancements it brings will boost the reputation of CSUN and the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics.

“David Nazarian is an industry-leading businessman and philanthropist whose integrity and vision are second to none,” said CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison. “We are so proud of his accomplishments and impact both on our city and our region. CSUN is a front-runner in educating future leaders of business and industry, and this unprecedented gift allows us to advance our programs and services to transform the business environment on a local and global scale.”

Fundraising Initiative

CSUN launched its fundraising initiative following David Nazarian’s $10 million cash gift.

The initiative to secure $15 million or more in private philanthropy support from individual donors, foundations and corporations aims to fully fund the implementation of CSUN’s David Nazarian College of Business and Economics strategic plan, meeting the demand for high-quality business education and workforce development for our region.

“While investing in companies can change lives and improve our economy, nothing is more impactful and important than access to quality education and mentoring. That is why I consider this to be the most significant investment of my career,” said Mr. Nazarian. “I’m encouraging my business associates, friends, family and anyone who wants to positively impact the lives of talented young people in our region to join me in supporting CSUN and the amazing work being done there.”

For more information about how you can be involved in advancing the mission of the College and joining Mr. Nazarian and others in their support, please contact Matt Rinnert at (818) 677-3621 or give today.

Join Mr. Nazarian as he calls upon the thousands of alumni, faculty, staff, community members, parents, and friends who share his strategic vision to help CSUN reach new heights.

Bio

Mr. Nazarian is a graduate of the California State University, Northridge College of Business and Economics, earning his bachelor's degree in business administration in 1982. Mr. Nazarian is Chief Executive Officer and founder of Nimes Capital.

In his 30-year career, Mr. Nazarian has established a consistent track record of identifying opportunities ahead of the pack, actively managing those investments and executing effective monetization strategies across a diverse range of investment classes and industries. Mr. Nazarian’s history as a visionary investor and business builder began with his active involvement in his family’s early identification of the potential for wireless communications technology which ultimately became part of Qualcomm, Inc., one of the most successful corporations in the history of the telecommunications industry.

Capitalizing on the success of Qualcomm, Mr. Nazarian focused on investment opportunities that could be utilized to diversify his family’s holdings. Mr. Nazarian displayed his acumen and investment vision by orchestrating the roll-up of aerospace equipment manufacturers during a challenging period in a highly cyclical industry; acquiring vast holdings of real estate from the Resolution Trust Corporation in the early 1990s; and strategically investing in the hotel industry following the economic downturn in the early 2000s, then divesting a majority of those investments prior to 2008. Mr. Nazarian started three early-stage venture funds concentrated on wireless communication and broadband infrastructure businesses, and he backed highly innovative clean technology companies. Mr. Nazarian’s philosophy is to be active in the management of investments via a variety of roles, including serving as an executive, investment committee member, member of the board of directors and/or formal advisor to the underlying companies.

In addition to his business activities, Mr. Nazarian is extremely active in the greater Los Angeles community through his support of numerous charitable organizations, including his role as Chair of the Investment Committee and a member of the Board of Directors of the UCLA Foundation, his involvement with the Board of Governors and Investment Committee for the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and his membership on the USC Marshall School of Business Board of Leaders. After earning his bachelor’s degree in business administration from CSUN, Mr. Nazarian received his MBA from the University of Southern California.

News Release

CSUN Announces Naming of the David Nazarian College Of Business And Economics
David Nazarian Leads $25 Million Fundraising Drive with Transformational Gift to CSUN College of Business

(NORTHRIDGE, Calif., March 26, 2014) — The California State University Board of Trustees has announced the approval of California State University, Northridge naming its college of business the David Nazarian College of Business and Economics in recognition of Nazarian’s commitment to lead a $25 million fundraising drive for his alma mater. Nazarian ’82 has personally committed a $10 million cash gift to CSUN. Read More News about the Gift.