Contributions Include Single-Largest Gift in University's History

Private giving to UC Irvine increased in 2004-05 to $70.8 million, continuing a trend that has seen a 100-percent increase since 2001-02. The amount raised is the second highest in the campus's 40-year history. Additionally, the campus received a record 20,319 gifts.

"This year, as UCI marks its fortieth anniversary, much has been accomplished," said Chancellor Michael Drake. "In an era of declining state support, the long-term success of the university depends on private contributions, and the generosity of our donors makes a profound difference in the lives of our students, our faculty and our society."

Private gifts contribute to UCI's future success by helping the university achieve academic and research excellence in areas that are not fully funded by other sources. The UCI Foundation, a volunteer organization comprised of community and business leaders, secures and manages private support for the campus's priorities.

"It has been very exciting in recent years to see UCI expand in cutting-edge research, national-level faculty and outstanding students coming to Orange County," said Ted Smith, who served as chair of The UCI Foundation from July 2001 through June 2005. "It is important to note, however, that this growth can only continue with parallel growth in community support. During the last three years, the ambition and clarity of many of the university's schools and programs have attracted the needed investment."

The university sees the increase in private support as crucial to its efforts to attract and retain top faculty, provide students with the best learning environment and enable research that will offer large-scale benefits to society.

"Throughout its forty years, UCI has recruited incredibly distinguished faculty," said Tom Mitchell, vice chancellor of university advancement. "Our faculty's vision, pioneering research and development of bold projects continue to stimulate interest from alumni and friends."

Major gifts to the campus in 2004-05 include:

A naming gift from business leader and philanthropist Paul Merage. The gift, the single-largest donation in the university's history, includes support for endowed chairs, graduate fellowships and faculty research in The Paul Merage School of Business.

A gift from the California Community Foundation to establish the UCI Teach Endowed Chair in Mathematics. This commitment, the largest-ever received by UCI to create an endowed chair, aims to help attract and retain exceptionally talented research mathematicians who will take a leadership role to enhance the supply and preparation of science and mathematics teachers for California's public schools.

A gift from business leader and philanthropist Fariborz Maseeh to establish the Dr. Samuel M. Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture. The new center -- the first in the University of California system dedicated entirely to Persian studies not based solely in a department of Near East or Middle East studies -- includes an endowed chair and two endowed professorships.

Lynette Hayde in support of the New University Hospital Campaign to Transform Health Care.

A grant from the Skirball Foundation to support advances in ophthalmology, specifically the work of Dr. Anthony Nesburn, whose special interests include corneal diseases and laser refractive surgery.

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About the University of California, Irvine: Celebrating 40 years of innovation, the University of California, Irvine is a top-ranked public university dedicated to research, scholarship and community service. Founded in 1965, UCI is among the fastest-growing University of California campuses, with more than 24,000 undergraduate and graduate students and about 1,400 faculty members. The second-largest employer in dynamic Orange County, UCI contributes an annual economic impact of $3 billion. For more UCI news, visit www.today.uci.ed.

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