Viasat Named Founding Partner of New Engineering Program at California State University San Marcos

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Feb 09, 2018, 08:00 ET

CARLSBAD, Calif., Feb. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Viasat Inc. (NASDAQ: VSAT), a global communications company, announced today it has been named the founding partner of the new Engineering Program at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM).

Viasat, together with several employees, have committed to an investment of $1.5 million over a five-year period to support education and innovation in North County, San Diego. The donation will enable a campus space renovation, the purchase of key engineering equipment and instrumentation and also support faculty and student work. Viasat will have the opportunity to help shape the curriculum and experience of the CSUSM engineering program. The University will begin its Bachelor of Science in software engineering this fall with a degree in electrical engineering soon to follow.

"Viasat's visionary support will create an environment for California State University San Marcos to launch a high-demand engineering program," said CSUSM President Karen Haynes. "Viasat and its employees are strong supporters of the community. Their assistance with funding will create pathways to educate the next generation of talented engineers."

"We're honored to be a founding partner of the new Engineering Program at California State University San Marcos," said Mark Dankberg. "Our employees are passionate about supporting our local communities and we believe partnerships like this create an environment that fosters innovation, inspiration and growth. Our contribution to California State University San Marcos stems from our team's passion to bring an educational program to North County, San Diego that will provide access and opportunity for students in the region to pursue engineering."

Katherine Kantardjieff, dean of CSUSM's College of Science and Mathematics added, "Viasat is engaged with CSUSM and our community for the common good, moving forward together to enhance the intellectual and economic life of our region and the state."

Construction of the new Viasat Engineering Pavilion is expected to begin in fall 2018.

About California State University San Marcos

Building on an innovative 28-year history, California State University San Marcos is a forward-focused institution, dedicated to preparing future leaders, building great communities and solving critical issues. Located on a 304-acre hillside overlooking the City of San Marcos, it is the only public four-year comprehensive university serving North San Diego, Southwest Riverside and South Orange Counties.

The University enrolls nearly 17,000 students. With approximately 2,000 employees, the institution is a Great College to Work For® (The Chronicle of Higher Education). As a recipient of the annual HEED Award since 2014—a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion—CSUSM is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment.

About Viasat

Viasat is a global communications company that believes everyone and everything in the world can be connected. For more than 30 years, Viasat has helped shape how consumers, businesses, governments and militaries around the world communicate. Today, the Company is developing the ultimate global communications network to power high-quality, secure, affordable, fast connections to impact people's lives anywhere they are—on the ground, in the air or at sea. To learn more about Viasat, visit: www.viasat.com, go to Viasat's Corporate Blog, or follow the Company on social media at: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter or YouTube.

Forward Looking Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward looking statements include statements about the partnership between Viasat and California State University San Marcos, the use of the contribution to support campus space renovation, the timing of the new construction, the purchase of key engineering equipment and instrumentation, support for faculty and student work and Viasat's opportunity to help shape engineering curriculum. In addition, please refer to the risk factors contained in Viasat's SEC filings available at www.sec.gov, including Viasat's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. Viasat undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason.

Copyright © 2018 Viasat, Inc. All rights reserved. Viasat is a registered trademark of Viasat, Inc. The Viasat logo is a trademark of Viasat, Inc. All other product or company names mentioned are used for identification purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

SOURCE Viasat, Inc.