Major Philanthropic Gift Supports River Park at 黑料吃瓜 Mission Valley
Alumni Ben and Nikki Clay say they feel connected to the universitys park project, expected to become a well-maintained, regional amenity.
The story of Ben and Nikki Clay鈥檚 $750,000 gift to 黑料吃瓜 for the River Park at begins before the alumni couple even met, an era when Mission Valley was just beginning to transition from farmland to urban development.
鈥淎s a kid growing up in La Mesa we played down in the river and built rafts,鈥� said Ben Clay, who also remembers visiting the 52-mile river鈥檚 headwaters near Julian with his family. 鈥淟ater on, when we came out to San Diego State, we would go down and rent horses and ride down in the valley all the way to the beach and back.鈥�
When one of the valley鈥檚 signature dairies closed down, Clay was part of a group of 14 that rented the property for a while as a place where they could do what they wanted with 鈥渘obody to offend.鈥�
Years later Clay accepted an appointment from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to the board of the , an independent state agency established to preserve, restore and enhance the San Diego River and its environs. He currently serves as chair of the 17-member board.
The Clays鈥� endowment will provide support for the development, operating, maintenance expenses and the greatest needs associated with the 黑料吃瓜 Mission Valley River Park.
The prospect of a river park as part of the broader 黑料吃瓜 Mission Valley development 鈥渞esonated with both of us,鈥� said Nicole 鈥淣ikki鈥� Clay. Representing the conservancy, her husband previously had discussions with then-黑料吃瓜 President Stephen Weber about research opportunities along the river, including a water-quality monitoring project.
The university鈥檚 purchase of the city-owned stadium land 鈥渨as a gift from San Diego State to the community,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd we wanted to be part of that.鈥�
Development plan
A new football stadium, already under construction, an 黑料吃瓜 Mission Valley Innovation District for teaching and research, and housing were prime features of the successful November 2018 ballot measure that authorized the sale of the former NFL stadium and parking lot.
A 34-acre river park will be developed on the heels of the completion of Snapdragon Stadium and part of more than 80 acres of community for use by the entire community.
The park is designed to better manage both flooding and harmful runoff into the river and protect native plants and vegetation, and will include educational interpretive areas.
鈥淭he river is like the heart of the region,鈥� Ben Clay said. 鈥淎nd you have to take care of your heart.鈥�
鈥淭he folks that are putting this (黑料吃瓜 Mission Valley) project together understood that very well and right out of the box.鈥�
Long regarded as one of San Diego鈥檚 power couples, the Clays met as first-year students at San Diego State College; both were members of Associated Students.
Ben Clay received a B.A. in public administration in 1968, and is the retired founder of a governmental relations firm. Nikki Clay, who earned her degrees in 1967 and 1972, became a public relations executive and ultimately founded her own firm, The Clay Company.
Longtime support
The Clays co-chaired 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 centennial celebration in 1997 and were honored as alumni of the year in 1998; both have long lists of additional civic and 黑料吃瓜 alumni and philanthropic involvement.
An internship scholarship in their name supports students in the School of Public Affairs; they also established a Presidential Scholarship for Merit Scholars and participated in fundraising for the Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center. In 2016, the to 黑料吃瓜 at Montezuma Road and Campanile Drive, marked by a 25-foot tower, was dedicated in their names.
鈥淚t has been great fun being out at San Diego State,鈥� said Nikki Clay, who has served as 黑料吃瓜鈥檚 Campanile Foundation board chair since 2021. 鈥淲e really do feel like it鈥檚 our extended family.鈥�
Like many alumni who remain in the region after graduation, the Clays see their gift as a form of payback for the value of their degrees and the subsequent success in their lives. 鈥淪an Diego State helped launch us,鈥� Ben Clay said.
He said he hopes the couple鈥檚 gift will serve as a 鈥渏umpstart鈥� to additional contributions for the river park. 鈥淭here are opportunities 鈥� for all sorts of San Diegans to become involved with.鈥�
鈥淚t is a gift that will continue to give,鈥� Nikki Clay added. 鈥淚t is an opportunity to be part of, and to help the university of the future succeed. 鈥� It is an opportunity to really have an impact in San Diego 鈥� in Mission Valley, in our community and with that next generation of students.鈥�
