Henry “Nick” Nicholas has re-entered the spotlight with a pledge of “more than $10 million” to UC Irvine. But on a sad note, Nicholas’ attempt to save his marriage,the reason he gave for stepping down as CEO of Broadcom Corp. in early 2003,appears to be over. For three years there were no court motions in wife Stacey’s divorce action. But since March there have been a series of contentious filings; Nick recently asked for primary custody of their three kids. She’s represented by Gerald Joseph Phillips in Newport Beach; he by Lisa Hughes in Tustin. Nick and Stacey cofounded the Nicholas Foundation, which has given millions to child education and other causes …
The exact nature of Nicholas’ UCI gift hasn’t been announced, but the Insider thinks it knows: It will jump-start a $20 million campaign to help build a five-story home for the Henry Samueli School of Engineering, named after Nick’s former UCLA prof, Broadcom cofounder and fellow billionaire. The state allocated $43.4 million for the project three years ago but estimated costs have gone up $8.5 million since then. Campaign funds would be used to cover the shortfall, buy equipment and endow chairs and scholarships. Engineering faculty and enrollment have nearly doubled in the past 10 years, to 104 profs and 2,700 students, with more growth projected. The building is targeted to open in fall 2009, and engineering dean Nick Alexopoulos said the fund raising may not stop there: “By the time we complete the building we’ll have need of more space” …
The biggest name to take the OC Register’s buyout offer so far is sports columnist Steve Bisheff, 64, who says he may start an online column about SoCal sports …
Political bedfellows: The ads promoting Measure M in the Hometown Voter Guide are being paid for by the Larry Agran-affiliated Planning 2020, which has received $60,500 from Corona del Mar heiress Anne Getty Earhart and $12,000 from KB Home Coastal, according to campaign filings. The guide mainly promotes the Democrat slate for Irvine’s City Council and has put out hit pieces on Republican candidate Christina Shea. Earhart’s support for Measure M,the half-cent sales tax to build roads,is intriguing, given her reputation as an avid environmentalist who waged an unsuccessful battle to stop the 73 toll road …
Jim Carrey has had a run of bad press,he recently dumped his long-time agent after three ballyhooed film projects stalled or died,but the Insider applauds the comedic actor for some quiet philanthropy. Folks involved with the Irvine-based Free Wheelchair Mission still are buzzing about Carrey’s unannounced appearance with girlfriend Jenny McCarthy at the July 25 fund-raiser at Turnip Rose in Costa Mesa. The event raised $1 million,enough to provide 21,000 wheelchairs to the needy in developing countries,including an “anonymous” donation of $200,000 that coincided with Carrey’s departure.
