Welcome to the University of California, Irvine, one of the nation’s foremost public research universities and an anchoring institution for Orange County. For over 50 years, generations of UCI students, faculty, staff and alumni have helped our community thrive through collaboration, creativity and innovation. I look forward to keeping you informed and connected to the Anteater family.
It’s hard to believe that winter quarter is now over, but today is the last day of final exams. Students are taking their well-earned spring break from the rigors of their coursework. Staff and faculty are looking forward to the slower tempo of the break as well, a brief respite before the final push of the academic year. This has been a very busy quarter for all at UCI.
UCI has received a more than $55 million bequest from a longtime benefactor, the late philanthropist Audrey Steele Burnand, to fund the creation of a new campuswide center that will pursue research into the causes and treatment of depression. It is believed to be the largest philanthropic donation to a U.S. university to support research focused solely on depression, which is the most prevalent mental health disorder in the nation.
University of California, Irvine was founded to catalyze the community and enhance lives through rigorous academics, cutting-edge research and dedicated public service. Today, we draw on the unyielding spirit of our pioneering faculty, staff and students who arrived on campus with a dream to inspire change and generate new ideas. We believe that true progress is made when different perspectives come together to advance our understanding of the world around us. And we enlighten our communities and point the way to a better future. At UCI, we shine brighter.