Florida Atlantic University has announced a $7 million naming gift from Phyllis and Harvey Sandler.

The gift from the Florida-based couple will establish two centers — the Robin Rubin Mindfulness and Wellness Center and the Substance Misuse, Mental Health and Research Center — at the newly renamed Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work within FAU's College for Design and Social Inquiry. A portion of the gift also will fund renovations to the college.

The Sandler family's support for the university began more than a decade ago, when their daughters, Robin Rubin and Amy Ross, earned their degrees in social work there, both graduating with honors. Rubin went on to earn her master's degree at the school, teach part-time, and convene its first social work community advisory board. For the past five years, the board, comprising some of the most prominent community leaders in Boca Raton, has highlighted the importance of the social work program at FAU and its impact on the local community.

"This gift will give for generations to come," said Wesley Hawkins, interim dean of the College for Design and Social Inquiry. "Because of the enormous generosity of Phyllis and Harvey Sandler, social work students and faculty can now more fully address the social issues that have plagued our society for centuries — substance misuse, child abuse, health care, suicide, depression — the list goes on and on. The impact and ripple effect of this gift is enormous for helping those in need in our communities for years to come."

The school also announced that Barbara and Dick Schmidt have pledged $250,000 to name the Phyllis and Harvey Sandler Student Athlete Lounge within the Schmidt Family Complex for Academic and Athletic Excellence. The new complex is expected to play a key role in elevating FAU's academic standing and will benefit students in all academic programs, including those not associated with the university's athletic programs.