Carston Family Gifts $1M To SSU Foundation, Green Music Center

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Gayle and Arnie Carston were recognized Saturday for a lifetime gift in November of $1 million to the Sonoma State University foundation and the Green Music Center.

The couple was honored in the Green Music Center at the opening of the Keola Beamer & Jeff Peterson with Moanalani Beamer concert, of which they are sponsors.

The donation was decades in the making. It will establish a Green Music Center endowment fund to sustain its mission and invest in current programming initiatives related to the GMC's recent designation as a Major University Presenter member.

The donation includes increased funding for the Rochelle Fostmeier and Gayle Carston Scholarship (Fostmeier is Gayle Carston’s mother) and for the Carston Family Scholarship, both of which benefit Sonoma State students, according to a news release.

The Carstons' childhood experiences laid the foundation for a lifetime of philanthropy and community service, much of which has benefited Sonoma State University. Gayle Carston attended Sonoma State College, graduating in 1977 with a degree in sociology. The company owned by her father, Larry Fostmeier, constructed several of the buildings on campus, including the Student Health Center, the Art Building, and the Children's School.

Rochelle Fostmeier played a central role on campus and engaged the Sonoma State University President's Associates, which included community leaders like Henry Trione, Helen Rudee, and Gene Benedetti.

When Gayle married Arnie Carston in 1990, she joined ownership of the World of Carpets, a family-owned and operated business, as well as Prosource of Santa Rosa, a wholesale floor covering business.

During his youth at Woodland High School, outside of Sacramento, Arnie Carston found his love for music as a tuba player. This passion led to the creation of The Carston Family Scholarship, which is designated for brass students at Sonoma State.

The Carstons enjoy attending live performances and remain enthusiastic participants and supporters of local arts organizations, including the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts and the Santa Rosa Symphony. They have served on numerous local nonprofit boards and have been active business leaders in Sonoma County.

From 2006 to 2012, Arnie Carston served on GMC's Finale Committee to complete the center’s $140-million capital campaign. The Carston Music Library has a home in the center’s academic wing.

"We love our county and believe it offers so much to all who live and work here,” Gayle Carston said. “Sonoma State is an outstanding university, and we are very proud to be part of the Green Music Center."