Proceeds will benefit students and key programs at the campus

An annual gala celebrating recipients of the University of California, Irvine Medal has raised more than $1.5 million, setting a new fundraising record for the event.

This year's gala, "A Celebration of Stars - The 2006 Medal Awards," was attended Oct. 21 by more than 850 campus and community members. Traditionally, the gala is UC Irvine's single-largest fundraising event, and funds raised are dedicated to key campus programs, such as the Regents' Scholars program and graduate fellowships.

"I am grateful for the support so generously offered by our friends and community partners, as well as to everyone who joined me in honoring those who have given the university so much of their time, leadership, vision and heart," said Chancellor Michael V. Drake, M.D. "Our honorees exemplify why we stand today as one of the world's great teaching and research institutions."

The gala celebrated the recipients of this year's medal, which annually gives formal and lifelong recognition to individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the university's mission, spirit and vision. This year's honorees included:

• Julie Boyle. Boyle, a clinical oncology nurse and director of patient care at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center's Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, is responsible for developing and managing new oncology programs and support services. In 1998, the American Cancer Society honored Boyle with the prestigious Lane W. Adams Excellence in Caring Award, which recognizes excellence in caring for cancer patients. Boyle sits on numerous advisory boards and is an ardent and longtime supporter of UC Irvine. Additionally, she is the first staff person ever to be awarded the medal.
  
  
• Douglas Freeman. Freeman is chairman and national managing partner of Irvine-based IFF Advisors, LLC, which provides strategic planning and consultation for private and independent foundations, high-net-worth families and individuals, and nonprofit institutions. He also is a founding partner of Freeman, Freeman & Smiley, a 40-attorney firm with locations in Los Angeles and Irvine. Freeman is a longtime advocate for the campus, and he is chair of the University of California, Irvine Foundation, a member of the foundation's executive committee and a past member of the campus's Chief Executive Roundtable.
  
  
• Edward and Helen Shanbrom. A hematologist, Edward Shanbrom is a former clinical instructor at the UC Irvine School of Medicine and a pioneer in the field of blood and plasma sterilization. He was Orange County's first oncologist and one of the inventors of the first clinical treatment for hemophilia. Helen Shanbrom is a founding member of the Friends of the Library at UC Irvine, as well as a past member of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts Dean's Advisory Council. In addition to her UC Irvine support, she is a highway-safety activist who has had a hand in a number of traffic laws that increase truck safety on the roads. Earlier this year, the building at UC Irvine Medical Center that houses his laboratory was renamed "Edward Shanbrom M.D. Hall" to honor him for his pioneering research and recognize the couple for their support of the university.
  
  
• Raymond Watson. Watson, former president of The Irvine Company and chief planner of the city of Irvine, oversaw the planning of the entire Irvine Ranch. He is a former trustee of the University of California, Irvine Foundation and a former member of The Paul Merage School of Business Dean's Advisory Board. He also is a lifetime member and past president of the Chancellor's Club and was chair of the Daniel G. Aldrich Jr. Society. He was honored in 2005 with the naming of the pedestrian bridge that connects UC Irvine to the University Center retail and business complex, adjacent to the campus.
  

The Medal Awards ceremony is one of Orange County's premier events. This year's gala was co-chaired by Michael Mussallem, chairman and chief executive officer of Edwards Lifesciences, and his wife, Linda, a philanthropist and volunteer in the community. Held for the first time at UC Irvine's Bren Events Center, the event was hosted by Chancellor Drake and the University of California, Irvine Foundation, which is chaired by Douglas Freeman. Vice Chancellor Thomas Mitchell, president of the foundation, assisted with the awards presentation.

"Mike and Linda Mussallem and our volunteer committee were key to the resounding success of this year's Medal event," Mitchell said. "Their leadership and commitments of time, energy and generous support were inspiring, and I thank all members of the University of California, Irvine Foundation for their dedication in generating this much-needed support for the campus."

The University of California, Irvine Medal - the university's highest honor - was first awarded in 1984, when the medallion went to the campus's founding chancellor, Daniel G. Aldrich Jr. Since then, medalists have included Nobel and Pulitzer Prize winners, authors, inventors, captains of industry, scientists and pioneers in virtually every field of endeavor.

About the University of California, Irvine: The University of California, Irvine is a top-ranked 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 $3.3 billion. For more UCI news, visit www.today.uci.edu.

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