College of the Canyons announced Monday its intent to name the college’s culinary arts center after a longtime benefactor and supporter of the college, in announcing a $1 million donation for the Institute for Culinary Education.
The college’s foundation has received its largest-ever single contribution in October from Gary Cusumano, a gift intended to support the Institute for Culinary Education, or iCUE, and its students.
In a phone interview Monday, Gary Cusumano mentioned the legacy of giving toward College of the Canyons, in the memory of his wife, Diana Cusumano, a longtime leader in the philanthropic community who died in April at age 79.
“Education was one of Diana’s prime volunteer efforts, and she spent quite a bit of time, particularly in the culinary activities of COC,” said the former president and CEO of The Newhall Land & Farming Co. Diana Cusumano chaired the fundraising committee that supported the building’s construction, he added.
Providing a great place for an opportunity to get involved in an industry that’s experiencing rapid growth also was a vital aspect of the gift, he said.
“More importantly though, it focuses on getting these young people an opportunity to work in an industry that is growing by leaps and bounds and has tremendous opportunities for individuals who are interested in the culinary profession, and don’t have quite enough money to get themselves through the process,” he added.
The agenda for a special meeting Tuesday of the Santa Clarita Community College District’s governing board calls for the board to accept the donation and then rename the building as the Diana and Gary Cusumano Culinary Arts Building.
“On Sept. 8, 2025, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was executed between the College of the Canyons Foundation, the Santa Clarita Community College District and Gary Cusumano,” according to the board agenda for Tuesday.
“The MOU outlines the terms of a $1 million irrevocable gift to support culinary arts education at College of the Canyons.
“This transformative gift, the largest single contribution ever received by the College of the Canyons Foundation, establishes: The Diana and Gary Cusumano Culinary Arts Endowed Program Fund, and The Cusumano Family and Friends Endowed Scholarship Fund.
“Per the MOU, the name must be placed within three months of full payment, no later than March 20, 2026. The name will remain in place for the useful life of the building and be subject to AP 6620 Naming of District Facilities and Properties Policy and other conditions in the MOU. The district has followed the regulations outlined in Administrative Procedure 6620.”
“Gary Cusumano is a long-time Santa Clarita Valley resident known for his philanthropic efforts,” according to the governing board’s agenda.
He retired from Newhall Land in 2006, having served as president and CEO.
