Press Releases

June 26, 1998
Sillerman Family to Donate $2.5 Million to Southampton College

New Academic Center to be Named in Their Honor

Contact: Jane Finalborgo
(516) 287 8313
Fax: (516) 283 4081

Southampton, NY -- Robert F.X. Sillerman, Chancellor of Southampton College of Long Island University and one of the country's leading entertainment executives, and his wife Laura Baudo Sillerman have pledged an additional $1.5 million to the College, bringing their total capital commitment to $2.5 million.

The funds are to come from the Sillerman family foundation, The Tomorrow Foundation.

In recognition of this new gift, their past support of the college and of the leadership role Sillerman has taken as Chancellor over the past five years, the College will give the Sillermans the opportunity to name the new academic center, now under construction.

"Bob and Laura have been a major force in the remarkable renaissance of Southampton College," said Provost Tim Bishop. "It is very appropriate and satisfying to be able to associate the Sillerman family and their foundation with a building that is the cornerstone of our effort to make the College's physical campus as strong as its academic programs."

The new $10 million Academic Center houses science laboratories, classrooms, seminar rooms, faculty offices, the Angier Biddle Duke lecture hall, and new studios for Long Island's Public Radio, WPBX, 88.3 FM. The building is set to open in September in time for the fall term. By fall, the campus will also have improved landscaping, additional renovated dormitories and highly visible improvements to Southampton Hall.

"The Sillerman family's generosity has had a tremendous impact on Southampton College and the entire University," said David Steinberg, Long Island University President. "In particular, Bob's challenge to his fellow Trustees to double his initial $1 million commitment, which has been successfully met, had a catalytic effect on their involvement and support of the University's mission to provide outstanding educational opportunities at all three of its residential campuses."

The Sillermans' gift follows the announcement last week of a $12 million gift to the University from Mr. and Mrs. Edmund T .Pratt, Jr., $4 million of which will be allocated to Southampton College.

A total of some $10.2 million comprised of the Sillerman and Pratt gifts coupled with funds from the University Trustees, the College's Overseers, alumni, friends and additional University funds have now been committed and will enable the construction of new student life facilities and a vastly expanded library as well as additional art studios. The $8 million to date in philanthropic commitments is believed to be the largest amount ever given by donors to a capital effort on the East End.

Dr. Steinberg further commented that the enhancements to both the physical campus and curriculum are consistent with the plans for the overall strengthening of the college endorsed by the University Trustees at their meeting at Southampton College two years ago. He added that there is clearly much still to be accomplished, and that the College will be aggressively seeking further support from all constituencies, public and private. Both the University Board of Trustees and the College Board of Overseers are actively engaged in this ongoing effort.

"Laura and I are proud and happy to be part of the growing excitement surrounding Southampton College," said Sillerman, who was appointed Chancellor in 1993. "The new MFA in Writing, the academic center, and our 32 Fulbright Scholars all add to the general sense of optimism that is so gratifying to all who have been involved with the College in recent years. Clearly the College is an extraordinary asset to those of us who live in and love this area, as well as to future generations of students."

Sillerman, formerly Chairman and CEO of SFX Broadcasting, recently purchased by Hicks Muse Tate & Furst, is Chairman and CEO of SFX Entertainment, which controls some of the biggest names in the concert promotion business, as well as concert halls and venues across the country. He is active in a number of charities, an avid athlete and maintains homes in Manhattan and Southampton.