2007 University of California, Irvine Medal
May 9, 2007
Dear Colleagues:
Each year, the Medal is bestowed upon a few extraordinary individuals who have made remarkable contributions to the mission, spirit and vision of the University of California, Irvine. The Medal is the university’s most prestigious honor, and I am delighted to share with you the names of those who will receive this year’s tribute.
The following distinguished recipients will be recognized for their extraordinary leadership, dedication and generosity:
Gavin S. Herbert is founder, chairman emeritus and former CEO of Allergan, Inc., a global specialty pharmaceutical and medical device company in Irvine. Through his direction, Allergan has supported the Department of Ophthalmology at UC Irvine for more than 25 years, sponsoring research fellowship programs, collaborating with retina clinical research faculty and providing lab space, research materials, mentoring and development opportunities. Herbert was instrumental in designing and implementing the Department of Ophthalmology – including the Irving Leopold Chair, and he was the first president of the Chancellor’s Club. Herbert is also chairman of Roger's Garden's nursery in Newport Beach and is chairman and founder of Regenesis Bioremediation Products.
Edward H. Newland, collegiate water polo’s all-time leader in coaching victories, is coach emeritus of the University of California, Irvine water polo team. Newland coached six of UC Irvine’s National Championships while producing 72 All-Americans and 14 UC Irvine Athletics Hall of Fame members. Newland built a 714-345-5 record at UC Irvine, and his teams captured NCAA titles in 1970, 1982 and 1989. When UC Irvine planned to eliminate water polo in the early ’90s due to budget cuts, Newland led the fundraising effort to save the program and decided to coach UC Irvine men’s water polo teams for more than 10 years at an annual salary of $1.
The late William L. Pereira was a visionary architect who helped shape Orange County and was the designer of the Irvine master plan. He helped bring together the UC Regents and The Irvine Company and, as a result, the campus received an initial 1,000 acres from The Irvine Company. Pereira envisioned the campus to evolve around two concentric rings, with a park as its center and the northern part of the rings to be the campus hub. At the time of his death in 1985, Pereira was credited with more than 400 projects, including the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. He is UC Irvine’s first posthumous recipient of the Medal.
Audrey M. Schneiderman, a longtime supporter of UC Irvine, is an Ambassador of the University of California, Irvine Foundation and a lifetime member of the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory. She is the widow of Dr. Howard A. Schneiderman, who served as the third dean of the School of Biological Sciences. Schneiderman made her largest gifts to the campus in honor of her husband, who died in 1990. Through her widespread volunteer support, Schneiderman regularly shares UC Irvine’s achievements with others. Her generosity, including extraordinary support for the School of Biological Sciences and the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, has provided scholarships, fellowships and opportunities for growth.
Hosted by the University of California, Irvine Foundation, the Medal Awards – A Celebration of Stars – is one of Orange County’s premier events. The event will be held Oct. 6 at the Bren Events Center and will be chaired by Richard and Cheryll Ruszat, owners of Montessori Schools of Irvine.
For more information on tickets and sponsorships, call 949-824-1655.
Please join me in congratulating this exceptional group of individuals. We are grateful for everything they have done for the University of California, Irvine.
Michael V. Drake, M.D.
Chancellor
