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Kashian Commitment Will Support UC Merced Library

October 30, 2001

The University of California, Merced's recently named Kolligian Library also will honor one of Fresno's leading developers, according to an announcement by Chancellor Carol Tomlinson-Keasey.

The first floor of the Leo and Dottie Kolligian Library, one of the first buildings to be constructed on the new campus, will be named for Ed and Jeanne Kashian in recognition of the leadership and support that the Kashians have directed to UC Merced. In addition, they are making a substantial contribution to support an endowment for the central library, named in honor of their lifelong friends and business partners, Leo Kolligian and his late wife, Dottie.

"The Kashian floor will be a vibrant and busy place where students and faculty will gather and where student activities will intermingle with study and research in the library," said Bruce Miller, UC Merced founding librarian.

The State of California's 2001-2002 budget allocates $162.4 million for the initial creation of infrastructure and the first three buildings at UC Merced, including $56.5 million for the library/information technology center. Also serving as an information technology center, the Kolligian Library will house an array of new and traditional information resources and services, computer laboratories, instructional technology support, multimedia services and library service instructional rooms.

"Ed and Jeanne Kashian have provided significant guidance and vision for our new campus, and we are inspired by their commitment," said Chancellor Tomlinson-Keasey. "The gift for the library also is a testament to friendship, because it is a gift based on the love and respect the Kashians have for the Kolligian family. Having UC Merced's main library permanently recognize the names of these two remarkable Fresno families is an honor for the University."

A founding member of the UC Merced Foundation Board of Trustees, Ed Kashian also serves on the Executive Committee and chairs the Real Estate Committee of the board.

"Jeanne and I are committed to doing our share to improve the quality of life in the San Joaquin Valley, and UC Merced will make tremendous contributions to that end," said Ed Kashian. "Most importantly, the new campus will broaden higher education opportunities for our Valley's students and economic opportunities for all Valley residents."

Beginning his career in real estate in 1958, Ed Kashian currently heads Lance-Kashian & Company, the Fresno-based firm he founded in 1964. Lance-Kashian specializes in commercial real estate development, asset management and property management. The firm has developed and manages more than three million square feet of commercial space. Among the properties developed and managed by the firm are the Marketplace and Shops at River Park, Fig Garden New Town Shopping Center and the Class A office buildings, Park View Plaza, Plaza del Rio, and the Village Courtyards East and West at River Park.

Ed Kashian was born to immigrant parents in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and later moved to California with his family. He attended the University of Southern California until he enlisted in the U.S. Navy for four years. He is a Korean War veteran.

Among his numerous civic activities, Ed Kashian is chairman of the volunteer board of directors for Community Medical Systems, founder and longtime board member for the San Joaquin River Trust, a member of the Urban Land Institute, and was a two-term appointee to the San Joaquin River Conservancy Board. Most recently, California State University, Fresno presented him a Foundation Service Award to recognize his many years of service as a university supporter.

A native of the San Joaquin Valley, Jeanne Kashian was born and raised in Hanford. She graduated from CSU Fresno, where she studied to become a teacher. After teaching school for several years, she retired to raise the couple's children. The Kashians have four grown children, one of whom graduated from USC and three of whom graduated from UCLA, and two grandchildren.

Local Family Supports UC Merced With the Establishment of 10th Endowed Chair, Library Fundraiser

October 5, 2001

MERCED - The Thondapu family of Merced has committed an endowed chair and spearheaded a major fund-raising campaign to purchase books for the University of California, Merced. To be formally announced tonight (October 5, 2001) during the UC Merced World Cultures Institute Library Fundraiser, the Thondapu Family Endowed Chair is a gift from Ramakrishna Thondapu, M.D.; his wife, Sumana; and their children, Vikas and Ramesh. This will be the 10th endowed chair established at UC Merced, which has received a greater number of such endowments than any other United States university campus prior to opening. The fund-raising effort will raise more than $20,000 to support the purchase of books for the World Cultures Institute section of the Leo and Dottie Kolligian Library at UC Merced. Donors will be honored this evening at a special dinner and program at the home of the Thondapus. Included in the program will be an announcement of special gifts, presentations on "UC Merced's World Cultures Institute and You" and "UC Merced Kolligian Library for the New Millennium." "We feel so privileged to have the Thondapu family participate in our exciting enterprise to develop a premiere university campus and expand educational opportunities for the deserving people of the San Joaquin Valley," said UC Merced Chancellor Carol Tomlinson-Keasey. "Specifically, their generous philanthropy will further the mission of the University of California to conduct world-class research and teaching." The exact academic use of the endowed chair has not yet been determined.

Contributions of $100 to $1,000 have been received from more than 100 individuals during the initial campaign to benefit the library. The names of patrons, or those whom they wish to honor, will appear on bookplates inside the covers of library books purchased with their donations. "I would like to share my gratitude for the leadership and vision of the Thondapus and the generosity of so many in this important endeavor to build a strong foundation for the World Cultures Institute Library Collection," said UC Merced Founding Librarian Bruce Miller. "Special collections will prove invaluable for research undertaken by faculty and students, and this particular collection will be a resource unique to the UC Merced campus." 

A member of the UC Merced Foundation Board of Trustees, Dr. Ramakrishna "Krishna" Thondapu is the medical director of anesthesia for Mercy Medical Center. He and Sumana "Suma" Thondapu were looking to relocate from Flint, Michigan to California when an opening surfaced for an anesthesiologist in Merced, and the family made the move 11 years ago. "We have always been excited about the prospect of UC Merced and believe very strongly in providing access to quality, higher education opportunities for students in the region," said Krishna Thondapu. "To make our contribution toward the success of this tremendous educational endeavor is something we feel is very important." "The inspiration to support the UC Merced library evolved from our recent visit to the UC Berkeley library," said Suma Thondapu. "After that tremendous experience, we wanted to help with the development of the UC Merced library so that everyone in the San Joaquin Valley also can benefit from such a resource." 

Education, with a special emphasis on reading and books, has long held a position of utmost importance in the lives of Krishna and Sumana "Suma" Thondapu, a value they also have instilled in their sons, Vikas and Ramesh. Krishna and Suma Thondapu pursued studies in higher education in their native India, departing after she had earned her master's degree in anthropology and in time for him to begin his medical residency program in Chicago. Showing evidence of wanting to follow his father into the field of medicine, 17-year-old Vikas began his undergraduate studies this fall at Duke University. Ramesh, 15, is a sophomore at Merced's Golden Valley High School. Spelling has been a specific interest of the Thondapu family, with Vikas and Ramesh both advancing to the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee and their mother helping with fund-raising at the local level. 

Endowed chairs and professorships at UC Merced will facilitate the hiring and retention of outstanding faculty. Income generated by the endowments assures a continuing income flow to fund the research of faculty member appointed to fill these positions. UC Merced may also seek endowments that will pay the salary of the professor as well as offer research funding. The Thondapu Family Endowed Chair in World Cultures is one of 10 endowed chairs pledged to the UC Merced campus. 

Other donors and their designated endowed chairs are: William and Dorothy Bizzini of Atwater, Biotechnology/Biological Sciences; Walter and Isabel Coats of Merced, Arts; County Bank (Tom Hawker) of Merced, Economics; Ted and Jan Falasco of Los Banos, Earth Sciences; the late Vincent Hillyer of Los Banos, Early Literature; Margaret and the late Joseph Josephine of Fresno, Biological Sciences; Art and Fafa Kamangar of Merced, Biological Sciences (nutrition and preventive medicine); John Myers of Merced and Beverly Hills, Sierra Nevada Research Institute; Keith and Elinor Shaffer of Santa Cruz, Engineering (chair also named for Bettylou George of Merced). Additional major endowments for UC Merced scholarships have been contributed by Margaret Josephine and John Myers. 

UC Merced currently employs approximately 85 educators and professionals. The University's main campus in Merced is being planned, and is expected to open in fall 2005 to serve 1,000 students. The campus will grow over coming decades to serve 25,000 students. UC Merced contributes to educational access through the entire San Joaquin region via special educational and outreach centers in Fresno and Bakersfield, and through the Tri-College Center in Merced. A new UC Merced center is expected to open in Modesto in 2002.

Tracey Aue joined the UC Merced Library in February as our Library Administrative Coordinator, which manages our department’s general support services areas of procurement, travel, entertainment, events, recruitment, onboarding/separations, finance and budgets.  Tracey has 20 years of administrative and customer service experience, including 11 years at UC Merced working with the University Police Department and with the UCM service centers of ACT and CBS2. She recently worked as a Travel Specialist in CBS2 and brings valuable experience in administrative, procurement, travel, and event planning.

Recently, Tracey shared with us a little about herself and her background: 

What was your first job, and what was the greatest lesson you learned from it?

"My first real job—outside of helping neighbors with odd jobs—was at the Modesto Junior College bookstore. I was 18 and in my first semester of college. I remember having so much fun there; everyone was great to work with, and the environment was really welcoming.

Coming from a family with a lot of addiction issues and being a shy, introverted student, it was eye-opening to work with other students and hear their stories and backgrounds. Being in a college environment exposed me to so many different types of people, and it helped me learn a lot about others—and about myself.

Unfortunately, life took a turn and I didn’t stay in that role long due to moving out of state. But that experience left a mark. I knew I wanted to return to a college or university setting someday. Years later, after going back to school when my oldest son was three, one of the first places I applied to after earning my degree was UC Merced.

When I started working on campus, it brought back so many memories of that first job. Seeing the students, interacting with them, and being a small part of their college journey reminds me every day why I love what I do. I had worked off-campus for a few years, but I’m so happy to be back. It feels like coming full circle—and I’m grateful to be reminded of the purpose behind our work."

What are you looking forward to in your role as the Library Administrative Coordinator? Or what would you like to accomplish or learn in your new role?

"What I’m looking forward to most in this role is all the new things I’ll be learning. In my previous position, the work was very repetitive—I was essentially doing the same task, just in different variations. Even though I’ve only been in this new role for a short time, I’ve already learned so much, and that’s really exciting for me.

I’m especially happy to be back in a position where I get to do a mix of things, like procurement, monthly GL account reconciliation, event planning, and onboarding/separation duties. Having such a wide variety of tasks makes the workday more interesting and keeps things from feeling stagnant.

I look forward to continuing to grow in this role and expanding my knowledge—not only of the responsibilities I handle, but also of the Library as a whole. There’s a lot to take in, and I’m excited to keep learning and contributing wherever I can."

What is your favorite thing to do on a weekend?

"My favorite thing to do on the weekend—or really anytime—is spending time with my family. My husband and I have four children, ranging in age from 3 to 17, so they definitely keep us busy!

Depending on the season, we're often wrapped up in activities like marching band competitions or jazz festivals with our 17-year-old son, Dominic. Our 11-year-old daughter, Aubrey, is more into sports and has played soccer, which keeps us active during the season. She’ll be starting middle school in July, and I'm hoping she tries out for the school teams.

Our youngest two, Ava (3, almost 4) and Carson (5), are full of energy—it’s like having twins! They’re always keeping us on our toes. We try to spend as much time outside as possible with them so they can burn off that energy.

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is go to the lake. We also enjoy visiting amusement parks and the beach. Still, with our busy schedule, sometimes a relaxing weekend at home is exactly what we need."

We are so excited to have Tracey join our Library team. Please join us in welcoming her!