Impacts of Giving

Gifts of Limitless Possibilities

Innovating cleaner, greener technologies to power the world. Discovering better treatments for debilitating diseases. Finding sustainable ways to feed humanity. Educating students who will be the leaders and visionaries of tomorrow.

Gifts to UC Davis support all these purposes and many more.

Because UC Davis’ reach is so broad, the impacts of philanthropic gifts are vast and diverse. The following is just a sampling of stories that describe how private contributions from alumni and other friends, corporations, foundations and other supporters are furthering UC Davis’ land-grant mission to serve society.

Feature: Mark Lundy

Helping rice farmers grow more with less

Doctoral student Mark Lundy, who studies International Agricultural Development and Horticulture and Agronomy, has seen first hand how rural farmers in developing countries depend on rice to feed families, earn a living and stave off poverty.

Feature: Amy Zhong

First-generation college student achieves goals

Making the transition into college can be difficult for many freshmen students, but it can be especially difficult for first-generation college students, like Redding, Calif., native Amy Zhong ’14, who can’t look to their parents’ experiences during this next phase of their lives.

Feature: Rajiv Narayan

Lost weight, gained his life’s passion

While many college students gain weight during their first year of school, Rajiv Narayan is and exception. The weight loss not only improved his health, but also ignited a passion for obesity research and policy.

Feature: Lucas Arzola

Developing a faster way to make vaccines using tobacco plants

Doctoral student Lucas Arzola is leading an interdisciplinary team of fellow student researchers who are working to save thousands of lives and millions of dollars by advancing vaccine development.

Feature: Kim Elsbach

Training tomorrow’s business leaders to act with integrity

Professor Kim Elsbach, holder of the Stephen G. Newberry Endowed Chair in Leadership, is building future leaders by teaching them about integrity in leadership using real-world examples.

Feature: Mark Perry and Melanie Peña

Support of students launching law careers

“I believe it is critical for each of us to support the school in any way we can,” Mark Perry ’80 said, “so it can continue to educate future generations of lawyers with a diversity of backgrounds.”

Feature: Monique Chambers

Improving health care in minority communities

For Monique Chambers, M.D. ’12, achievement lies within reach of those who reach beyond themselves.

Feature: Gary Magdesian

Research that promises life-saving treatments for horses

“I can say that many research projects made possible by the chair position have influenced our treatment of very sick foals and equine athletes,” said Professor Gary Magdesian, who developed the first veterinary school residency in the nation to emphasize large animal critical care.

Feature: Casey Shillam

Working to improve the nation’s healthcare system through nursing

Postdoctoral student Casey Shillam was drawn to the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis because of the school’s vision to develop health care leaders.

Feature: Antoinette Corbin

Pursued a degree and a career change while raising her family

“I didn’t realize until I was a mom how important and influential teachers are,” Antoinette Corbin, Cred ’10 said. “Now I know I can change lives.”