In November 2024, Gayle and Arnie Carston donated $1 million to the Sonoma State University Foundation and the Green Music Center. This transformative gift will create a Green Music Center endowment fund to sustain its mission to provide access to diverse artistic experiences that educate, connect, and inspire our communities.

The donation also increases funding for the Rochelle Fostmeier and Gayle Carston Scholarship, honoring Gayle’s mother, and the Carston Family Scholarship, both supporting Sonoma State students.

The Carstons’ experiences laid the foundation for a lifetime of philanthropy and community service, much of which has benefited SSU. Gayle is an alumna of Sonoma State and her father, Larry Fostmeier, was involved with constructing several campus buildings, including the Student Health Center and the Art Building. Additionally, Rochelle Fostmeier engaged community leaders, including Henry Trione, Helen Rudee, and Gene Benedetti, in supporting the university.

Married in 1990, Gayle and Arnie Carston co-own World of Carpets and Prosource of Santa Rosa. Arnie’s passion for music, kindled as a tuba player in high school, inspired the Carston Family Scholarship for SSU’s brass students. His involvement with the Green Music Center includes serving on its Finale Committee to complete the Center’s capital campaign in 2012, which led to the creation of the Center’s Carston Music Library.

As avid supporters of local arts, the Carstons are also active participants and supporters of the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts and the Santa Rosa Symphony. They have also served on numerous nonprofit boards and contributed as business leaders in Sonoma County.

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

Join the Carstons and become a Green Music Supporter. Questions? Contact Jana Ponce, jana.ponce@sonoma.edu. 707-664-3530.