Why I Give to UC Davis
Learn how other employees are giving in a variety of areas and ways. You can harness the power of UC Davis’ remarkable and influential programs to make a real difference in our community and our world. Join the many faculty and staff inspired to create a brighter future by helping these programs succeed.
Raminder Gill ’93
Title: Clinical Professor and Staff Physician, UC Davis Medical Center
Why he gives: "I knew since I was a kid that I would be a UC Davis Aggie, although I didn't know it would last this long outside the affiliation as an undergrad. I didn't think I would be a doctor of medicine, I didn't think I would work for UC Davis, but I knew in some aspect I would be an Aggie. I'm glad I became one and I'm glad I remain actively involved."
Heather Hunter ’96
Title: Executive Director, UC Davis Preferred Partnership Program
Why she gives: “I will be forever grateful to my head coach, Kathy DeYoung, for recruiting me to play for UC Davis, where competing in the classroom is just as important as competing on the field. Also, we are provided the opportunity to work at a world-class university with an incredible work culture. By giving to UC Davis, we are supporting the mission of the university, students and our next generation of leaders.”
Jennifer Sang and Christine Lovely: Why We Give to the Staff Emergency Fund
Nancy Davis: Why I Give to The Pantry
Colleen Sweeney, Ph.D.
Title: Professor and Vice Chair, Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine
Where she gives: "I give to several places because there are so many causes at UC Davis that are worth supporting."
Why she gives: "I love animals dearly. I want animals to have the care they need to live happy lives, so this is my small way of contributing to that goal. I also am a first generation college graduate from a disadvantaged background, and I want to make the path a bit easier for the younger generation."
Chancellor Gary S. May
Title: Chancellor, UC Davis
Why he gives: "I give to UC Davis in particular because I share the same values as Davis. A college degree gives an individual their best chance at having a successful career. We allow them the social mobility to give them success and make our society better."
Lisa Ikemoto, J.D. ’87
Title: Martin Luther King Jr. Professor, UC Davis School of Law
Where she gives: "I like contributing in ways that directly benefit our students and programs."
Why she gives: " I am an alum and a faculty member. I’ve benefitted directly from UC Davis in several ways – I went to law school here, and I work here. Also, I believe this university takes its commitment to the local community and greater society seriously.”
Joseph A. Farrow
Title: Chief of Police, UC Davis
Where he gives: “There are two places that are very important to me. I am sports-minded, so I give to Athletics. At the same time I want to help some of our other students that struggle in other ways to pay the bills, too."
Why he gives: "It is an honor and a privilege to work here and be part of this community. So, I thought it was very, very important that I be able to give something back.”
Becky and Stephen Griffey, DVM, Ph.D. ’97
Title: Becky Griffey, service manager for the anatomic pathology service at the William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
Where they give: The Mercer Clinic Holiday Pet Basket Drive, the Peter C. Kennedy Endowed Fellowship in Veterinary Anatomic Pathology and the Veterinary Pathology student club.
Why they give: "Our contribution will help lessen the financial burden for some by providing a stable source of funding for individuals with broad interests in veterinary pathology, leaving them to focus on their graduate work and hopefully potential future career in academia.”
Peter Lee
Title: Professor, School of Law
Why he gives: “I’m a strong believer in education, in general, and UC Davis in particular. Even with substantial fees paid by our students, I know providing a top-notch legal education requires significant additional resources. In a wider sense, I hope my gift helps maintain the viability of a public law school committed to serving the public interest.”
Kevin Nosek ’99
Title: Assistant Coach, UC Davis Basketball
Why he gives: "As a former UC Davis student-athlete and a current staff member, I have seen firsthand the difference that giving can make for a program and department. I take great pride in being able to directly impact the development of our department and the university."
Hollis Skaife
Title: Professor, Graduate School of Management
Where she gives: Student scholarships with the Master of Professional Accountancy Program
Why she gives: "I believe in funding your passion! Investing financial resources in education today will have a positive effect on our world tomorrow.”
Jeri Bigbee
Title: Adjunct Professor, Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing
Why she gives: “My mother Jeanette Spaulding was a pioneer in nursing who came from rural roots. She was highly committed to education and community service. She inspired me to pursue a career in nursing with a focus on rural health.”
Where she gives: “Our dream is for the Jeanette M. Spaulding Memorial Research Fund to serve as a catalyst for the development of active programs of rural nursing research at UC Davis and beyond."
Leilani Reiff
Title: Administrative Analyst Supervisor in Student Housing
Why she gives: In September 2015, Leilani’s husband Richard, and his Boggs Mountain Helitack crew of firefighters, provided initial attack on the Valley Fire in Lake County. The four crew members received second or third-degree burns and were airlifted to the UC Davis Medical Center.
"The Firefighter Burn Institute is like nothing you will ever see. These nurses became a part of our family. They not only took care of my husband, but me too. We are eternally grateful. That is why we give. And you don't have to donate thousands or millions of dollars. Donate whatever you can."
Louis and Georgette Grivetti
Title: Louis Grivetti, faculty emeriti
Where he gives: Scholarships for education abroad, athletics and the Aggie Life Skills program.
Why he gives: “Through our travels, Georgette and I have witnessed incredible wealth and dire poverty, but we have had wonderful opportunities and, truly, are blessed. By supporting scholarships we are creating opportunities for students that they may not have previously had."
Kimberly D. Elsbach
Title: Associate Dean and Professor of Organizational Behavior, Graduate School of Management
Where she gives: UC Davis Graduate School of Management
Why she gives: "I want to help our amazing students to learn and engage with people all over the world. My gift helps our students travel internationally and connects our school to grand challenges facing businesses... near and far."
Don Roth and Jolan Friedhoff
Title: Don Roth, executive director of the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts; Jolán Friedhoff, continuing lecturer for applied violin and chamber music
Where Jolán gives: Anne E. Pitzer Center
Why Don gives: “UC Davis has a particularly collaborative culture—it’s a real hallmark of what we are as a university. Part of that team approach is to help support the university and the units we are most interested in."
Ways to Give
Call 530-754-1106
Via check payable to UC Regents, include the area you want to support on the memo line:
UC Davis Advancement Services
202 Cousteau Place, Suite 185
Davis, CA 95618
Want to chat about your giving?
Contact:
Jenni Dingeldein
Director of Development, Philanthropy Programs
Annual & Special Gifts
jdingeldein@ucdavis.edu
530-754-0579