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UCI hits $2 million fundraising record
Annual gala honored Medal Awards recipients and launched a public campaign to raise $1 billion by the end of 2015.
By Tina BorgattaPublished: October 06, 2008
UC Irvine this weekend came $2 million closer to reaching its goal of raising $1 billion for scholarships and academic programs aimed at fostering economic growth and cultural opportunities, and shaping a new crop of tomorrow’s leaders.
It was a fund-raising record for the university’s annual gala, “A Celebration of Stars: The 2008 Medal Awards,” held at the Bren Events Center on Saturday.
It’s not the only record the university has seen in recent months. UCI ended the 2007-2008 fiscal year with $130 million in gifts and pledges from donors. It’s the third straight year that supporters have given more than $100 million – and it’s the highest amount yet.
“The challenges we face in the world today have not overwhelmed hope, and solutions can be found,” UCI Chancellor Michael V. Drake told gala attendees. “That’s what great universities do.”
Drake said the university hopes to reach its $1 billion goal by Dec. 31, 2015.
More than 800 UCI supporters attended the 24-year-old event. The evening’s Medal Award honorees included Carol and Ralph Cicerone, who are described by the university as “an academic power couple known for their devotion to UCI.” Ralph Cicerone served as the school’s fourth chancellor, and his wife is a professor of cognitive science.
Also honored: James Mazzo chairman and CEO of Advanced Medical Optics and a member of the University of California, Irvine Board of Trustees; and Stanley van den Noort, who arrived at UCI in 1970 and is credited for building the neurology department “from the ground up.” He’s also considered a pioneer in multiple sclerosis education, research and patient care.
The event also served as the launch of the university’s public phase of the fundraising effort, dubbed the Shaping the Future Campaign. University officials said the “quiet phase” began three years ago and has resulted in garnering more than $405 million. The money will be used for scholarships, capital improvements, attracting and retaining world-renowned faculty, and expanding and creating new academic programs, among other university priorities.
“We are one of the best public universities in America, and more students want to come to UC Irvine than ever before,” Drake said. “We’ve just completed our new hospital, which is already ranked among America’s best. We have half a billion in capital improvements under way for our students, and we’re opening the first new public law school in California in more than 40 years. I can’t imagine a more exciting time to be at UC Irvine.”
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It was a fund-raising record for the university’s annual gala, “A Celebration of Stars: The 2008 Medal Awards,” held at the Bren Events Center on Saturday. It’s not the only record the university has seen in recent months. UCI ended the 2007-2008 fiscal year with $130 million in gifts and pledges from donors. It’s the third straight year that supporters have given more than $100 million – and it’s the highest amount yet. “The challenges we face in the world today have not overwhelmed hope, and solutions can be found,” UCI Chancellor Michael V. Drake told gala attendees. “That’s what great universities do.” Drake said the university hopes to reach its $1 billion goal by Dec. 31, 2015. More than 800 UCI supporters attended the 24-year-old event. The evening’s Medal Award honorees included Carol and Ralph Cicerone, who are described by the university as “an academic power couple known for their devotion to UCI.” Ralph Cicerone served as the school’s fourth chancellor, and his wife is a professor of cognitive science. Also honored: James Mazzo chairman and CEO of Advanced Medical Optics and a member of the University of California, Irvine Board of Trustees; and Stanley van den Noort, who arrived at UCI in 1970 and is credited for building the neurology department “from the ground up.” He’s also considered a pioneer in multiple sclerosis education, research and patient care. The event also served as the launch of the university’s public phase of the fundraising effort, dubbed the Shaping the Future Campaign. University officials said the “quiet phase” began three years ago and has resulted in garnering more than $405 million. The money will be used for scholarships, capital improvements, attracting and retaining world-renowned faculty, and expanding and creating new academic programs, among other university priorities. “We are one of the best public universities in America, and more students want to come to UC Irvine than ever before,” Drake said. “We’ve just completed our new hospital, which is already ranked among America’s best. We have half a billion in capital improvements under way for our students, and we’re opening the first new public law school in California in more than 40 years. I can’t imagine a more exciting time to be at UC Irvine.” |
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