4 Awarded UCI Honor for Public Service
Four people were awarded UC Irvine’s highest honor Friday at a celebration that raised $810,000.
The ceremony honoring the UCI Medal winners is the university’s largest annual fund-raising event. This year’s proceeds set a record and was 26% more than the amount collected in 2002.
Recognized at the event were Marian Bergeson, former state secretary of education, legislator and county supervisor; Dr. Philip Di Saia, chief of gynecology and gynecologic oncology at UCI Medical Center; and Elizabeth and John Stahr.
John Stahr is a retired lawyer. He and his wife have been UC Irvine supporters for more than 35 years.
The medallion was created in 1984 to recognize outstanding commitments to teaching, research and community service at UC Irvine. The money goes toward undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships.
The event was underwritten by the Allergan Foundation, which donated $50,000, and Dr. Hazem Chehabi and his wife, Salma Chehabi, who provided $100,000. The couple are members of the Chancellor’s Club, a UC Irvine support group.
David E.I. Pyott, chairman and CEO of Allergan, and his wife, Julia, were the event hosts.
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