Success & Service: Gallos give $1 million to Bay Area college

Bob and Marie Gallo of Modesto are donating $1 million for the naming of Notre Dame de Namur University’s Grand Staircase in Ralston Hall as part of the school’s $6 million campaign to save the hall.

The Gallos have long supported the Catholic university where Marie Gallo graduated in 1957, when it was known as College of Notre Dame.

They’ve also contributed to its master plan building fund, the Walter Gleason Center and Koret Athletic Field, along with upgrades to existing facilities. One of their daughters, Gina Gallo Boisset, also graduated from the school and continues to support it. She is the senior director of winemaking for Gallo Family Vineyards Sonoma Reserve.

Both Bob and Marie Gallo have served on NDNU’s board of trustees. In 2008, NDNU honored Marie with the Community Spirit Award for exemplifying the mission and values of the university. In 2014, NDNU named a Giving Society after the couple for their philanthropic commitments to NDNU. The society honors those who have donated $500,000 to $999,000 to the university.

Built in 1868, the Ralston Hall mansion was the summer home of Bank of California magnate William Ralston. It became part of the college in 1923, but was closed in April 2012 awaiting restoration, the cost of which is estimated at $20 million, with $12 million for seismic retrofitting.

Modesto women get statewide recognition

Henrietta Sparkman and Betty Jean Reynolds, members of Delta Kappa Gamma, Epsilon Nu Chapter in Modesto, received state distinguished career/professional service awards at the Chi State Convention in San Francisco earlier this month.

Sparkman and Reynolds were honored for their 25-plus years of service to the Youth Art Scholar Program, which they have spearheaded each year. This innovative educational activity was developed by Reynolds and Sparkman to reach seventh- through 12th-grade students in an after-school art program that runs for 11 weeks.

Local firm honored for website

Turlock’s Ali Cox & Company Marketing was recognized by Awwwards.com for www.galletto.biz, which it created for Galletto Ristorante in downtown Modesto. Cox’s firm won in the best hotel and restaurant category.

The concept, strategy, design, coding and copywriting were completed locally. It has generated more than 3,000 page views since its May 23 launch.

This story was originally published June 27, 2015 at 11:51 AM with the headline "Success & Service: Gallos give $1 million to Bay Area college."