Ex-Rockwell CEO to Give $1 Million to UCI

UC Irvine said Monday that Donald and Joan Beall would give $1 million to the university’s new gallery and center for research on digital arts.

The center, which opens to the public today, was formed with a $1.5-million gift from Rockwell Corp. as a tribute to Donald Beall, the company’s former chairman and chief executive. The 3,300-square-foot gallery and research center, which is named for the Bealls, will enable engineers, artists and computer scientists to collaborate on art and design projects using digital technology.

Jill Beck, dean of UCI’s School of the Arts, said that Maya Lin, architect of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C., would design a new entrance to the school and a technology plaza in front of the art center.

At the center’s private preview gathering Monday night, Conexant Systems Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Dwight Decker also announced a $250,000 gift toward the Maya Lin project, and he said his company would serve as technical advisors to Lin.