A record $101 million in private giving for fiscal 2005-06 caps a remarkable first year for Chancellor Michael Drake, an ophthalmologist who has almost everyone buying into his vision for UC Irvine. Drake has dealt with the liver-donor controversy at UCI Medical Center so openly and decisively, he’s turning it to his advantage,there’s buzz about recruiting new medical talent and the hospital’s $50 million capital campaign has moved from “stalled” to “$5 million ahead of schedule.” Add in campus expansion and continued academic gains, and there was much for Drake and wife Brenda to celebrate with deans and community leaders last week. “I’m excited to no longer be called ‘new,'” quipped Drake, whose talents include a quick wit …
Drake was scheduled to make a return appearance on “Inside OC” this week …
Doug Freeman, on why he’s heading the UCI Foundation for a second year: “I can’t get off this campus. They keep changing the roads” …
Meanwhile, at Cal State Fullerton, Rick Muth of Ortho Block Co. has given a $500,000 challenge grant toward endowing a $1.5 million Rick Muth Chair in Family Business. And CSUF is gearing up for its 50th anniversary that begins September 2007. Alumna and KNBC-TV reporter Vikki Vargas is outside chair of the festivities committee …
The OC Marathon is searching for a title sponsor after the withdrawal of PacifiCare, which had donated $1 million (half cash, half in-kind services), during the race’s first two years. A “disappointed” event chairman Scott Baugh (same guy who runs the local GOP) said he got the word earlier this year, days after Cypress-based PacifiCare was acquired by Minnetonka, Minn.-based UnitedHealth Group. PacifiCare spokesman Tyler Mason said the merger had nothing to do with it,after helping to launch the marathon, the company simply wants to turn to other local causes: “It’s unfortunate that we have to sound so defensive.” Mason said PacifiCare remains committed to OC, citing the recent donation of $350,000 in eyeglasses to the Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton. The January race, a qualifier for the Boston Marathon, has raised about $800,000 for charities …
Add yet another big name to the OC Performing Arts Center’s upcoming six-week celebration of its new concert hall and 20th anniversary: Tony Bennett, in concert Sept. 29 …
Also celebrating its 20th anniversary: Santa Ana talent magnet, the Orange County High School of the Arts …
PBS host Huell Howser talks about the future of digital TV at an OC Forum luncheon Wednesday at the Hyatt Regency Irvine; call (949) 588-9884 …
Magic Johnson, Pete Rose and Dick Butkus are among many autograph-signing greats when the National Sports Collectors Convention returns to the Anaheim Convention Center for the first time in six years July 26-30; go to www.nsccshow.com …
Gov. Schwarzenegger has named Orange architect Michael Merino to the California Architects Board.
