Investing in innovation

UC Davis parents Mike ’76 and Renee ’76 Child have dedicated their lives to investing in the next generation of innovators. As a senior advisor for the private equity investment firm, TA Associates Inc., Mike understands the importance of supporting entrepreneurship. That’s why he and Renee gave the funds to name The Child Family Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which helps foster interdisciplinary research, transfer innovations to the marketplace and catalyze economic development in the region.

“We are very pleased to be able to support UC Davis’ remarkable work across diverse disciplines,” Mike said.

The Childs’ breadth of giving ranges from supporting the Center for Mind and Brain and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing to volunteer leadership. Renee serves on the College of Letters and Science Deans’ Advisory Council and Mike serves on the Campaign Cabinet as well as the UC Davis Foundation Board. The UC Davis Foundation honored Mike and Renee with the Charles J. Soderquist Award in recognition of their exceptional volunteer leadership and generous support.

Mike and Renee believe The Campaign for UC Davis is a step in the right direction, Mike said, “the most important thing about this campaign was that it sets the stage for what’s next.”

Renee added, “We want to encourage people to give until it hurts, and then give some more.”