Alex Spanos not only wrote a book about his philanthropic endeavors, he models his life after its title: “Sharing the Wealth.”

Last September, Spanos shared $10 million with Sacramento State to help build the new Recreation, Wellness, Events Center and fund the football stadium renovation project. On Thursday night, at the university’s first annual Green and Gold Gala, Spanos pledged to continue to share when he publicly promised University President Alexander Gonzalez: “I will always be there for you and the university.”

Over the years, Alex and Faye Spanos, often referred to as a “great pair of American philanthropists,” have contributed millions of dollars to multiple institutions including building new residences halls and a sports complex and renovating a music center and theater at their respective alma maters, University of the Pacific and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. The Spanoses also contributed $1.5 million to the university that allowed the 2000 and 2004 U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials to be held at Sac State.

“In this phase of the development, that $10 million is so important in helping us do what we want to do,” Gonzalez said.

In his speech, Gonzalez announced several more gifts recently given to the university and said that every gift is an additional resource and vote of confidence for Sac State.

The new gifts include $1.2 million from the Follett Higher Education Group toward construction of the new Hornet Bookstore and $650,000 from Java City for construction of a new coffee house in the library and renovations the Roundhouse.

The Fat family has given $200,000 for capital improvements at the Riverfront Center and the McCarthy Building Company has committed to building the field house portion of the stadium project that is expected to begin construction in early 2006.

Women’s Tennis coach Bill Campbell and his wife donated $1.3 million toward the construction of the field house and the renovation of the tennis courts on campus.

Cristina Mendonsa, Sac State alumna and news anchorwoman for News 10 and Gary Gerould, the radio voice of the Sacramento Kings and former Sac State sports announcer were the Mistress and Master of ceremonies for the evening and introduced several governmental figures including Sacramento City Councilmember Steve Cohen, California Assembly Member Dave Jones and California State Senator Dave Cox who presented a resolution from the Senate and a thank you letter from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and first lady Maria Shriver to the Spanos family.

In addition to the gratitude from local government officials, the Spanoses were surprised with a special thank you video featuring students, faculty and staff. Gonzalez also presented Spanos with framed commemorative artwork featuring a photo of the existing Alex G. Spanos Sports Complex on campus and drawings the future RWEC and stadium project.

“I feel so much pride when I come on campus and see the change that have occurred since I’ve been here and the plans for expansion are going to make Sac State a major player in the CSU system,” Mendonsa said.

Mendonsa is just one of many alumni who are adamant about giving back to Sac State.

“I’ve been asked by a lot of communications professors to come back and speak to the students,” Mendonsa said, “They are calling on me more and more to help in my capacity as a journalist.”

“I saw a list of about 40 names of government officials and it starts with the Governor and the first lady and works it’s way down to through all phases of the government in this region,” Gerould said. “It’s important to get these people behind you because they are the movers and the shakers. They are the ones that will get things done.”

Auburn Mayor Alice Dowdin said the gala was a fabulous event and she was pleased to see so many generous supporters.

“It is our desire to see Sac State become a greater higher learning institution and we are very excited about the upcoming improvements,” Dowdin said.

CSU Trustee Bill Hauck, who is serving his second and last eight-year term, chaired the search committee that helped find Gonzalez and hired him.

“The energy and enthusiasm that Alex Gonzalez has brought to this campus and this community has been great,” Hauck said.

Gerould said this “Destination 2010” plan is the most exciting thing that has happened to this community in the 40 years that he has lived here.

“This president has had a dramatic impact in such a short amount of time,” Gerould said.

Hauck said that Sac State is right in the middle of a great growth area thanks to the support of the community.

“Sac State has the right leadership and the right energy and I want to support that,” Hauck said.

“It will be exciting to see (the Green and Gold Gala) grow. Hopefully, we’ll add many more place settings next year,” Mendonsa said.

Gonzalez said that he hopes the Green and Gold Gala will become an annual event because beyond outside fundraising, it’s important for people to come to campus.

“This was the first event of its kind and it won’t be the last,” Gonzalez said.

The Gala was a fundraiser and brought in over $100,000 from individuals and corporate sponsors. Twenty-seven different sponsors including Comcast, Pepsi, Capital Public Radio and the family of CSU Trustee Angelo Tsakopoulos funded the Gala.

“It’s important for the students to see that people believe in this place and they are going to take it to the next level. This is all about the students and they deserve the best,” Gonzalez said.