Impacts of Giving

Because UC Davis’ reach is so broad, the impacts of philanthropic gifts are vast and diverse. This page 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.

Taken together, these stories weave together in a singular narrative, the one story of the difference that you can make in partnership with UC Davis.

Inspiring Stories

An Unexpected Path to STEM Education by philanthropy

Crystal Lee ’21 always loved math and science –– but during her childhood, these subjects were not a part of her education. She began attending a non-accredited homeschool in fifth grade and did not attend high school. She earned her GED in 2001 when she was 17 years old. Now, fueled by personal motivation and an inquisitive mind, Lee is pursuing a physics degree at UC Davis.

Gearing Up for Big Changes

Thanks to a generous $5M gift from John ’69 and Mindy Baum, the Engineering Student Design Center (ESDC) will provide an expanded, visionary new space in which students will be able to dive into creative and entrepreneurial ventures.

Becoming a Community Leader by philanthropy

Hope is a powerful emotion –– it can get us through tough times, it can help us persevere trials and tribulations until we reach our goal. Third-year mechanical engineering student Martin Vega-Martinez ‘20 is the perfect embodiment of what hope, combined with hard work, looks like.

A Mind for Neuroscience by philanthropy

From Puerto Rico to Iraq to UC Berkeley and now at UC Davis, Oscar Vazquez ’20 finds his passion for the brain everywhere he goes. Now, he is leading meaningful work by researching traumatic brain injuries at UC Davis School of Medicine, where he received the 2016 Sandra Reed Scholarship and the 2017 Dean’s Scholarship.

Healing in More Ways Than One by philanthropy

Tabesh is the first student recipient of the Joseph A. and Jean M. Teresi Memorial Scholarship endowed by sisters Lisa Harris ’77 and Dina Bosby, which recognizes his efforts to become a physical therapist.

UC Davis Receives $2 Million for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Engineering

The University of California, Davis received a $1.5 million gift towards the Prem Chand Jain Family Presidential Chair for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in the College of Engineering. This is the first ever gift to the university by alumnus and Silicon Valley entrepreneur Prem Chand Jain M.S. ’77 and his family.

Earl and Linda Ault, posing in front of historic photos from their wine business, established the Earl and Linda Ault Endowed Fund at UC Davis

The [Wine] Glass Half Full

University of California, Davis, donors Earl and Linda Ault say they had no idea what they were doing when they started their winery.

Florence sitting on a red couch with a dog

A Teacher’s Legacy for Children in the Classroom and Beyond

Retired Teacher Florence Grossenbacher Makes Planned Gift to UC Davis for Mental Health Research

Chancellor’s Fellow Shota Atsumi in a lab coat

A More Sustainable Future by philanthropy

University of California, Davis, Associate Professor Shota Atsumi is experimenting with new and exciting ideas in order to make the world a more sustainable place for the next generation.

Two Scholars Go Full Speed Ahead by philanthropy

The Full Speed Ahead scholarship helps students accelerate their careers at UC Davis. Quang Nguyen '20 and Benjamin Langreck '21 view the gift as a way to lay the groundwork for a successful future.

J50, or Scarlet, a southern resident killer whale in the Salish Sea, keeps up with her family

Saving Endangered Species by philanthropy

Building on work begun by primatologist Dian Fossey of Gorillas in the Mist fame, Gorilla Doctors, a program led by the University of California, Davis, has been providing personalized veterinary care to animals in the wild since the late 2000s.

Football players on field playing football

Catching Childhood Dreams by philanthropy

Keelan Doss is on track for academic and NFL dreams thanks to donors.

Idele and Harry Gilbert’s love for animals has also sparked their interest in hobbies. Idele holds a parakeet, modelled after Jesse, that she created using tiny beads. Pictured behind them are some of their collectible plush animals.

A Passion for Parakeets

Idele Gilbert, known as the “bird whisperer" by her friends, enjoys a special bond with her parakeet, Jesse. She describes him as the smartest avian companion she has had. A quick learner, Jesse began to talk with just one week of training and to twirl around on his perch after watching a dancing show on television.

Barbara Jackson: A Lifelong Passion for the Arts

Barbara Jackson, a well-known patron of the arts and one of UC Davis’ most loyal and generous friends, died Friday evening, September 7th, in Davis. She was 99 years old.

Record-Breaking Give Day Makes a Difference

The event themed “Every Aggie Counts: Combined, we change the world” raised more than $1.7 million from 4,047 gifts. That is more than $450,000 and 1,000 gifts over last year’s Give Day totals!

Inspiring Stories

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