UCI to Honor Family, Three Individuals

Three individuals and a family of philanthropists who have helped shape the vision and development of UC Irvine will be awarded the university’s highest honor--the UCI Medal.

“All of these individuals deserve to be so recognized for their commitment, energy and innovation in helping UCI realize its position in the top ranks of American universities,” Chancellor Laurel L. Wilkening said.

The recipients are as follows:

* The Chao family, which includes John Chao and his children: philanthropist and community volunteer Phylis Hsia and her husband, David; Allen Chao, chair and CEO of Watson Pharmaceuticals, and his wife, Lee; Richard Chao, an engineer with McDonnell Douglas, and his wife, June; and Agnes Kung, a CPA, and her husband, Jen.

Hsia and her husband initially became involved with the Bonney Research Laboratory at the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, contributing $100,000. Subsequently, the family provided more than $3.1 million to the newly renamed Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.

The center recently received the National Cancer Institute’s highest designation for excellence in basic and clinical cancer research, education, community service and patient care.

* Spencer Olin, a UCI professor emeritus of history and a faculty member since 1965. He has held numerous leadership positions, including dean of the School of Humanities.

His “Postsuburban California: The Transformation of Orange County Since World War II,” won the 1992 Biennial Robert G. Athearn Award of the Western History Assn. for the most outstanding book published about the 20th century American West.

* Michael Ramirez, a School of the Arts alumnus and Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist. He began his career in 1982 at the Newport Ensign in Newport Beach. In 1989, he moved to the Daily Sun Post in San Clemente and, a year later, to the Commercial Appeal in Memphis.

His work is syndicated to more than 550 publications across the country and he was recently named an editorial cartoonist for the Los Angeles Times.

* Richard Sim, group president of investment properties for the Irvine Co., has been a supporter of UCI for more than a decade. He’s a member of UCI’s Chief Executive Roundtable and serves on the Executive Committee of the UCI Foundation.

Sim continues to be a key figure in the development of UCI as one of the nation’s premier research institutions through its participation in establishing the Irvine Co.’s University Research Park adjacent to campus.

A UCI Medal ceremony at the Hyatt Regency Irvine Feb. 5 will raise funds for scholarships. The black-tie event is expected to attract more than 700 business and community leaders.

Information: (714) 824-7933.