UCLA School of Medicine receives record gift of $200 million - Noteworthy News - David Geffen - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Black Issues in Higher Education, June 6, 2002

LOS ANGELES

The UCLA School of Medicine last month received the largest donation ever in the entire University of California system. David Geffen, entertainment executive and philanthropist, donated $200 million to the school, which will be renamed the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. The financial gift also represents the largest single donation ever made to a school of medicine in the United States.

Geffen's purpose for the donation to the school was twofold.

"One is to support one of the most innovative medical schools in the world, and the other is to inspire others to do the same," he says.

"I have great respect and affection for UCLA and my hope is that with this gift, UCLA's doctors and researchers will be better equipped to unravel medicine's mysteries--and deliver the cures for tomorrow," says Geffen, who is a principal partner in DreamWorks SKG, the multifaceted entertainment company he co-founded with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg in 1994.

According to Dr. Gerald S. Levey, dean of the medical school, the gift will substantially enhance the research and teaching programs of the medical school.

"Through this landmark contribution, Mr. Geffen's generosity will have a transforming impact on the UCLA School of Medicine. It's gratifying to know that he shares our vision for its future. This gift will help to sustain the School of Medicine's mission to remain at the forefront of medical education, research and patient care," Levey says.

"UCLA is delighted by this historic gift. It gives the university great pleasure to name its medical school after David Geffen," says UCLA Chancellor Albert Carnesale. "Mr. Geffen exemplifies the spirit of humanitarian giving. This is an enduring gift that will benefit people today and for generations to come."