A private $1 million donation pushed the Havasu Foundation for Higher Education over its minimum $2 million mark that satisfies Arizona State University’s fundraising requirement to open a campus here.

James Santiago and his wife made the donation Monday to the local organization that has rallied to bring for a four-year collegiate campus here since 2004.

The Santiagos own Beachcomber Resort and Island Suites and have been longtime Lake Havasu City residents, according to a HFHE release.

Beachcomber’s general manager said the Santiagos declined to comment.

HFHE President Steve Greeley said the organization approached the couple several months ago about donating.

“It was an experience that was fantastic,” Greeley said. “He made the phone call and said he decided to contribute. Obviously, it was quite a shock when we found out what the amount was.”

Top ASU officials announced at a HFHE banquet in March that they considered themselves part of the community after studies showed positive results about the area supporting a campus. ASU President Michael Crow then visited the future ASU site at the former Daytona Middle School campus in May and announced the college’s commitment to Lake Havasu City. Since then, an architect and general contractor have been named to the renovation project of the campus at 98 Swanson Plaza.

However, ASU officials have said they needed a $2 million local commitment before really pushing forward to open doors.

The campus is expected to open in the fall of 2012.

Greeley said the Arizona Board of Regents, which governs colleges, has yet to approve the final agreement. He said he expects that approval to come during its September 22-23 meeting.

The agenda for the board’s meeting hasn’t been posted online, but it is expected to be online after Sept. 14, according to the board’s secretary.

David A. Young, ASU’s senior vice president for academic affairs, called hitting the local fundraising goal a “significant accomplishment for the Lake Havasu community.”

“I look forward to working with the community to expand higher education opportunities for the citizens of Lake Havasu and the surrounding region,” Young stated in an email to Today’s News-Herald. Young is instrumental in starting the campus and has begun to shape the academic programs to be offered.

The foundation is expected to continue with their planned fundraisers through the end of this year to add a cushion in case pledges fall through, or if renovation expenses increase or to begin scholarship collections. The foundation is largely responsible for funding the campus renovation. ASU officials have previously said they are covering the cost of the technology, staff and operations.

The foundation had collected about $1.1 million in donations and pledges prior to the Santiago donation. Greeley said the remaining $1 million probably would have been collected by the end of this year, if it weren’t for the Santiago donation.

“It would have been a struggle,” he said. “What this means is that there should be nothing in the way in getting this thing moving off the ground. Their major contribution has given us that opportunity not to have to worry day after day if we would meet these certain goals.”

Greeley said officials are talking about how to incorporate the Santiago name into the new campus.

You may contact the reporter at jleatherman@havasunews.com