February 26, 2007

It’s important to celebrate the lives and accomplishments of people we admire, respect and cherish – people who set an example on a daily basis with their work ethic, their personal values and their commitment to improving the lives of others.  In this month’s letter, in addition to sharing campus news, I will impart a few examples of people who’ve positively impacted this university and our community, making the campus and the world a better place.

Diversity Awards
I would like to congratulate the 24 individuals and 12 departments and units who were honored at the 12th annual UCSD Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action and Diversity Awards Program held on Valentine’s Day.  I appreciate and applaud your hard work in support of equal opportunity, affirmative action, diversity and the UCSD Principles of Community.  Our university is deeply committed to diversity, and maintaining a climate of fairness, cooperation, and professionalism.  I’m proud to be a part of this UCSD family, and to celebrate our efforts and advancements in creating a diverse campus.  Click here to see a list of this year’s Diversity Award recipients who represent a wide range of disciplines including business affairs, marine sciences, ethnic studies, and structural engineering.

The Kyoto Laureate Symposium
UC San Diego will host a lecture by one of this year’s Kyoto Prize recipients, Dr. Hirotugu Akaike (ah-kah-ee-keh), a Japanese statistical mathematician, on March 15 at Calit2.  This will be the sixth annual Kyoto Laureate Symposium, an academic lecture series, co-hosted in San Diego by UCSD, the University of San Diego and San Diego State University.  The Kyoto Prize is Japan’s highest private award for lifetime achievement in the fields of Advanced Technology, Basic Sciences, and Arts and Philosophy.  Each year, the Kyoto Prize is presented to individuals and groups worldwide who have contributed significantly to the betterment of humankind.  The Kyoto Prize, which is given by the Inamori Foundation, has been awarded to only 72 laureates from 12 nations since its inception in 1985.  If you’re interested in attending the Kyoto Laureate Symposium, click here for more information.

In Remembrance
Our university recently suffered a tremendous loss with the death of Dr. Leon Thal, who had been Chair of the Department of Neurosciences for more than a decade.  He died in a plane crash on February 3.  He was also director of the UC San Diego Shiley-Marcos Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, Director of the multi-center Alzheimer’s Disease Cooperative Study, and a renowned professor.  Dr. Thal was one of the world’s leaders in the development and study of new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease.  He will forever be remembered for his significant contributions to the world’s understanding of the cause, prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.  We’ve lost a true leader, researcher and friend.

Seuss Celebration
In honor of the 103rd birthday of the late Theodore Seuss Geisel – also known as Dr. Seuss – we’ll be hosting an all-campus Seuss celebration with music, food and festivities on March 2.  All UCSD students, faculty and staff are invited to participate in the event.  It will be held at noon on Library Walk outside Geisel Library.  The Geisel Library Toy Piano Band will perform songs from the Cat in the Hat Songbook and the traditional Happy Birthday tune.  Free punch will be served as well as some 2,000 pieces of cake.  I hope you can join in the celebration to honor the beloved author who entertained the world with his stories and drawings, and supported our university.  UCSD received Geisel’s collection of drawings, notebooks and other memorabilia following his death in 1991.  His widow, Audrey Geisel, also made a substantial donation to support the university’s libraries.  

New VC Returning to UC San Diego
I would like to welcome Dr. David Brenner back to UC San Diego as our new Vice Chancellor of Health Sciences and Dean of the School of Medicine.  He is a distinguished physician, scientist and teacher who began his academic career at UC San Diego in 1985, first as a fellow, then later as a faculty member at the UC San Diego School of Medicine and a physician at the Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System.  Dr. Brenner most recently served as a Samuel Bard Professor and Chair of the Department of Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, College of Physicians and Surgeons, and Physician-in-Chief of New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia.  He is a leader in the field of gastroenterological research, and is well known for bridging the laboratory and clinical setting, and specializing in diseases of the liver. 

Students Support Athletics Referendum
I am very pleased that UCSD students have expressed their support for the Student Athletic Support Fee Referendum to strengthen the Intercollegiate Athletics program at UCSD. This outcome lays the foundation for the future excellence and success of our athletics programs, which will benefit a broad number of students. This positive vote will also bring us into full compliance with NCAA regulations.  In addition, I’m pleased so many students turned out to vote.  Nearly 42 percent of the student body cast a ballot and the referendum was passed with a 55 percent majority vote.

I’m excited to see that our students – as well as our faculty and staff – are increasingly involved in our campus life and our community.  We are all a part of this university and that connection binds us together and builds a strong sense of campus community.  By working together and sharing our ideas, our studies, our research and our work, we can continue to improve our campus and our world. 

                                                                        With warm regards,

                                                                        Marye Anne Fox
                                                                        Chancellor