2009 Medal

May 26, 2009

Campus Community:

Each year, the Medal is bestowed upon a few extraordinary individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the vision, mission and spirit of the University of California, Irvine. The Medal is the university’s most prestigious award, and I am honored to share with you this year’s recipients:

Anthony James is a Distinguished Professor of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics at UCI, where he earned his bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in biological sciences. An internationally known biologist, he leads a global effort to develop new methods of controlling dengue fever. His research interests include the molecular biology of insect vectors of disease, the genetics of vector competence, malaria and dengue fever. In 2006 he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences, and in 1994 he was named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. James received the UCI Alumni Association’s Lauds & Laurels Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2004.

Fariborz Maseeh founded IntelliSense in 1991 – the first company to specialize in the custom development of next-generation MEMS devices – tiny, computer-controlled chips used in products such as cardiac pacemakers and aircraft landing gear. He serves on campus advisory boards and supports numerous campus areas, including engineering and intercollegiate athletics. Maseeh is the founding benefactor of UCI’s Dr. Samuel M. Jordan Center for Persian Studies & Culture in the School of Humanities and the Claire Trevor School of the Arts – the first interdisciplinary center in the University of California system dedicated entirely to Persian studies that is not based in a department of Near East or Middle East studies.

William Parker is chair of UCI’s Department of Physics & Astronomy and former vice chancellor for research, serving from 2000 to 2006. He joined the faculty in 1967, two years after the university opened. His work on the electronic properties of metals has led to a greater understanding of fundamental physics. Parker helped create the Irvine Campus Housing Authority – the organization responsible for the development of University Hills, a highly regarded national model for faculty and staff communities. His numerous honors include awards for outstanding teaching from the School of Physical Sciences, the Lauds & Laurels Extraordinarius Award, and the Daniel G. Aldrich Jr. Distinguished University Service Award.

Laurel Wilkening was third chancellor of UCI, serving from 1993 to 1998. A renowned planetary scientist and expert on comets and meteorites, she has served on several NASA committees and boards. During her tenure, the campus received its first two Nobel Prizes, completed 250,000 square feet of construction, and increased private, state and federal funding. Wilkening was instrumental in the creation of University Research Park – now a national model for collaboration between the private sector and university researchers. She also played a key role in increasing the number of Regents’ Scholarships for transfer students by 60 percent, in cooperation with the campus’s Academic Senate.

Hosted by the University of California, Irvine Foundation, the Medal awards ceremony – “A Celebration of Stars” – is the campus’s largest fundraiser. Proceeds support key programs such as Regents’ Scholarships and graduate fellowships, which are given to students who exhibit academic merit and outstanding promise. Chaired by alumnus Gary Singer ’74, and his wife, Melanie, this year’s celebration will be held Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Bren Events Center.

See our press release for more information about the Medalists and the event.

Please join me in congratulating this remarkable group of individuals. We are thankful for everything they have done on behalf of the University of California, Irvine.

Chancellor Michael Drake