Thanks and Recognition: Tony Gardner

Contributed by Jim Lunsford

A longtime love for materials printed on hand operated presses, coupled with his continued affection for the Oviatt Library, inspired librarian emeritus and CSUN alumnus Tony Gardner to give back in a highly impactful way. The Tony Gardner Endowment was established to help the Library’s Special Collections and Archives Department grow its valuable resource collection of materials printed prior to the 1820’s. In celebration of this generous new endowment, and to honor Tony Gardner, campus dignitaries and the CSUN community will gather together on Thursday, November 19, 2015.

“I believe that a formal recognition ceremony for our donors is very important because it highlights the purpose of the gift; it honors the donor in a public forum; and it encourages others to think about giving back to CSUN,” says Oviatt Library Dean Mark Stover. “In addition, it allows friends, family, faculty, staff, students, and the broader community to celebrate together the generosity of someone who cares deeply about Cal State Northridge and its intellectual heart and soul, the Oviatt Library.” The Library’s Director of Development Luann Rocha agrees, “It’s important to celebrate the donor and to show how their gift makes an impact in the Library and at CSUN.” And the $100,000 Gardner Endowment does indeed make an important impact. Access to the often one-of-a-kind items purchased through the endowment will offer CSUN students and researchers a unique opportunity to engage with and learn from a variety of rare materials and manuscripts.

The reception is open to the public and will be held in the Robert and Maureen Gohstand Leisure Reading Room and the adjacent Library Gallery from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. The program will include a keynote address by Assistant Professor Danielle L. Spratt from CSUN’s Department of English, who will talk about hand printing presses and fine and hand binding. RSVPs for this event are requested by November 12, 2015. You can RSVP online, or by calling (818) 677-2638. Parking is $6.00 and daily parking permits may be purchased at kiosks, information booths, or in advance online at The Permit Store. For additional information about the Tony Gardner Endowment Reception, or to learn more about all Library events, please visit the Exhibitions and Events page or call (818) 677-2638.

READ MORE about Tony Gardner and the Tony Gardner Endowment.