Mariclare and Marvin Suomi of Beverly Hills have pledged a $500,000 gift for the construction of a new Early Childhood Center on California Lutheran University's north campus in Thousand Oaks. The new center will replace the one that has housed the preschool for more than 30 years.

A father of three young children himself, Suomi is a member of CLU's board of regents. He is president and chief executive officer of KUD International and chairman of KUD Limited (UK). Both companies

are subsidiaries of Kajima Corporation, described as one of the largest construction-related service companies in the world.

"The Suomis are outstanding examples of leaders who have stepped forward to generously support the continued growth and development of the university," said Stephen Wheatly, vice president of university advancement. "Their gift will not only make a difference for CLU, but it will also benefit generations of young people."

The center, which is accredited by the National Association

for the Education of Young Children, provides a hands-on experiential learning environment for more than 80 children throughout the year.

Plans have been developed for a 3,500-square-foot facility to be built on the west side of the north campus property.

Longtime director Joy Brooks, who retired in 1999, will host a fundraising event in her home in July in hopes of raising the additional funds for the $1.7 -million center that will serve infants, toddlers and preschoolers.