Impacts of Giving

Artist Cassils appointed to Maria Manetti Shrem Endowed Chair in Art Studio

Renowned performance artist Cassils has been appointed to the Maria Manetti Shrem Endowed Chair in the Maria Manetti Shrem Art Studio Program at UC Davis. Cassils is a Canadian transgender artist who makes their own body the material and protagonist of powerful performances that examine the histories of LGBTQIA+ violence, representation and struggle while illuminating narratives of resilience and empowerment.

Connected by purpose

Think of friendships forged at UC Davis and you might picture first-year students gabbing in dorms, or recent graduates tossing their caps into the air, but the university fosters countless close ties — from the classroom to the boardroom.

Cultivating the future

After more than 30 years helping California farmers combat crop disease and on-farm production challenges, Richard Buchner ’76, M.S. ’82, and his wife, Terri, are turning their focus to the future.

Decoding dementia

The path to a world without dementia starts with a brain tissue sample. Researchers at the University of California, Davis are developing AI-driven tools to analyze vast digital archives of brain tissue scans — work that cannot be done at scale by humans alone — to better understand dementia and improve diagnosis and treatment.

UC Davis opens Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation

Made possible by philanthropic support, including a lead transformative gift from Lynda and Stewart Resnick, through their foundation in 2022, the new center is housed within the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences — ranked No. 1 in the nation and No. 2 in the world in agriculture and forestry.

Alum Mike Gilson wins 2026 Soderquist Award

Gilson has served as chair of the UC Davis Library Leadership Board since its founding in 2017. His leadership and personal giving have consistently propelled fundraising efforts and allowed the library to flourish.

Center for Animal Locomotion and Innovation opens

The Center for Animal Locomotion and Innovation, or CALI, at the University of California, Davis, was flying high during its grand opening ceremony on Friday, May 8.  

Give Day Hits 10-Year Milestone with Strong Support

Marking its 10th anniversary over Picnic Day weekend, the UC Davis community rallied for Give Day 2026 to celebrate a decade of impact. With nearly 4,500 donations made both online and in person, this year’s event raised almost $3.9 million. Since its launch in 2017, Give Day has raised more than $32 million from over 56,000 donors.