Giving

12th Annual Dinner in the Library Focuses on ‘Building for the Future’ Sept. 18

The University of California, San Diego’s 12th annual Dinner in the Library will take place Friday, Sept. 18 in the university’s iconic Geisel Library building. The event, which is open to the public, will celebrate the theme “Building for the Future,” with proceeds supporting the UC San Diego Library’s collections, services and learning spaces. Festivities will include dinner and cocktails, a silent auction and a keynote talk from Sarah Thomas, vice president for the Harvard Library.

Computer Scientists Work to Help Individuals with Locked-in Syndrome Thanks to Moxie Foundation

A $300,000 gift from the Moxie Foundation will support computer scientists at the University of California, San Diego who are researching and developing high-tech assistive technology to help individuals with disabilities.

Alumnus David Goeddel Funds Fellowship for Next Generation Scientists

When University of California, San Diego alumnus and biotechnology pioneer David Goeddel, ’72, pledged a gift of $400,000 to establish the David V. Goeddel Endowed Graduate Fellowship at UC San Diego, his goal was to support and foster the innovators and scientists of the future. The endowed fund, which will be matched in full by the UC San Diego Division of Biological Sciences, will annually support the research and scholarly activities of outstanding Biological Sciences graduate students. The inaugural Goeddel fellowship recipients will use the funding to bolster leading-edge research focused on topics ranging from finding better treatments for diseases such as Parkinson’s, to understanding the metabolism of cells in tissues and organs, to studying cyanobacteria as a bio-production platform for renewable fuels.

Surfers and Philanthropists Unite in the Fight Against Cancer Aug. 9

A fundraiser like no other, the Luau and Legends of Surfing Invitational trades tuxedos and ballrooms for surfboards and sand. The San Diego tradition, now in its 22nd year, features a surf competition that draws scientists, community members and surf legends alike. Afterward, guests will enjoy a Hawaiian-themed luau with entertainment by singer-songwriter and former San Diego Padre Tim Flannery. The festivities begin at 7 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9 on the beach near Scripps Pier. All proceeds from the event will support research and patient care at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health.

Audrey Geisel Donates $3 Million to Renovate UC San Diego’s Iconic Geisel Library

San Diego philanthropist, literacy advocate, and longtime supporter of the University of California, San Diego, Audrey Geisel, has donated $3 million toward the renovation of the university’s iconic flagship building, Geisel Library. The gift kicks off a major initiative to transform and revitalize the interior public spaces of Geisel Library to meet the evolving needs of students, faculty, and other Library users in the digital age. Geisel’s gift will be used to renovate and update the entry level of Geisel Library, which opened in 1972 as the university’s Central Library. In 1995, the William Pereira-designed building—known by many as “the spaceship”—was named in honor of Audrey and her late husband, Theodor “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, in recognition of a major gift from Audrey Geisel.

Anthropology Professor Thomas J. Csordas Named to Dr. James Y. Chan Presidential Chair

Thomas J. Csordas, renowned anthropologist and director of the Global Health Program at the University of California, San Diego, has been appointed the inaugural holder of the Dr. James Y. Chan Presidential Chair for Global Health in the Division of Social Sciences.