What’s in a reputation? Philanthropic histories bridge buildings throughout the Bay

Strolling by the College of California, Berkeley campus, a Stanford scholar could also be struck by déjà vu. A number of the constructing names on the 2 campuses are equivalent — however does it boil right down to mere coincidence? Wanting carefully, the tales behind these constructing names are a reminder of the decades-long historical past that bonds us to our neighbors (and rivals) throughout the Bay.

1. Li Ka Shing

Every college has its personal medically-focused Li Ka Shing constructing, named after the enterprise magnate and philanthropist Li Ka-shing.

Berkeley named the Li Ka Shing Middle for Biomedical and Well being Sciences after Li donated $40 million for its development in 2005. The 200,000-square foot constructing is at the moment house to analysis that investigates the foundation causes of illnesses equivalent to Alzheimers, most cancers and tuberculosis. Li was awarded the Berkeley Medal for his monetary contribution. 

Stanford’s five-story Li Ka Shing Middle for Studying and Data is the pedagogic coronary heart of the College of Medication. In use since 2010, the $90.2 million constructing homes lecture rooms, lecture halls and an immersive studying middle with simulated examination and working rooms. Li, whose eldest son studied at Stanford, has donated greater than $37 million to the College of Medication for a wide range of tasks by his Li Ka Shing Basis charity.

2. Haas

Stanford college students conversant in the Haas Middle for Public Service could also be shocked to search out not one, however two Haas buildings on Berkeley’s campus.

The Bears’ enterprise college and enviornment are named for a father and son pair. Berkeley’s Walter A. Haas College of Enterprise is known as in honor of the 1910 graduate and former president of Levi Strauss & Co. The varsity’s Walter A. Haas Jr. Pavilion, house to the college’s basketball, volleyball and gymnastics groups since 1999, was named for his second son. A graduate of the Berkeley class of 1937, Haas Jr. succeeded his father as president of Levi Strauss & Co. He and his spouse Evelyn made a $11 million lead donation for the sports activities pavilion. 

Stanford’s Haas Middle, previously the Stanford Public Service Middle, was renamed as such in 1989 after the Haas household made a $5 million donation to its endowment. 

These contributions have prolonged into latest years. Haas Sr.’s first son and daughter-in-law Peter and Miriam “Mimi” Haas contributed to the endowment for the Peter E. Haas College Directorship in 2004, a place at the moment held by Juliet Brodie. Peter E. Haas graduated from Berkeley and served on Stanford’s Board of Trustees.

3. Bechtel

Every campus additionally has a constructing named for Stephen Bechtel.

Berkeley’s Bechtel Engineering Middle, in-built 1980, was named for the previous president of the Bechtel Company. Bechtel attended Berkeley for a yr earlier than taking up the engineering and development firm, which was based in San Francisco within the late 1800s by his father. The middle homes Berkeley’s Engineering Library and an auditorium.

Stanford’s Bechtel Worldwide Middle was equally named for Bechtel, whose 1963 donation helped fund the reworking of the previous Zeta Psi fraternity home. “From expertise abroad I’ve discovered that friendship and mutual understanding flourish in simply such environment as the brand new middle will present,” Bechtel wrote.

Bechtel’s son, Stephen Bechtel Jr., obtained his MBA from Stanford’s Graduate College of Enterprise in 1948 and succeeded his father as president of the Bechtel Company. 

4. Stern

Each rival colleges host a residential Stern Corridor. Every is known as for a distinct lady of the Stern household, which owns Levi Strauss & Co. 

Stanford’s Stern Corridor is known as for Lucie Stern, nicknamed “Aunt Lucie” for her many years of friendship and charity to Stanford college students. Stern’s property donated $400,000 towards the development of the dorm in 1947, a yr after her loss of life, with a further $200,000 gifted in 1948. Stern gained her fortune after marrying one of many heirs to the Levi Strauss & Co., and “the rich Mrs. Louis Stern determined to make use of her fortune in making others joyful” upon the loss of life of her husband, in response to a 1952 Each day article. 

Alongside offering scholar mortgage funds, scholarships and $600,000 in donations to construct the residence corridor bearing her identify, Stern hosted weekly dinners at her house and supplied a “reward closet” of free clothes. In 1941, Stern was named an Honorary Stanford Fellow and designated a lifetime member of the scholar physique by the ASSU.

Berkeley’s Stern Corridor is an all-female dorm named for Rosalie Stern, who funded its development in 1942. Stern was concerned in lots of public service endeavors. She opened up her home to the Purple Cross after the 1906 earthquake and fires, and supplied help all through World Battle I. Stern’s husband, Sigmund Stern, was the son of Levi Strauss & Co. co-founder Dan Stern.