The University of California, Davis has announced a monumental $120 million donation from former Citigroup CEO Sandy Weill and his wife, Joan Weill. This generous contribution stands as one of the largest gifts ever made to a veterinary school globally, reflecting the couple's deep appreciation for the institution's care.
A Transformative Gift Inspired by Personal Experience
This historic donation reportedly honors UC Davis for its exceptional treatment of the Weills' ill dog, Angel. The care provided left a profound and lasting impression on the family, motivating their substantial philanthropic commitment. In recognition of this transformative gift, the university revealed on Wednesday that the school will be officially renamed the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine.
Funding Major Expansion and Cutting-Edge Research
The $120 million donation will catalyze significant advancements at the veterinary school. Approximately $80 million is allocated specifically for constructing a new small animal teaching hospital. This facility is a crucial component of UC Davis's ambitious $750 million Veterinary Medical Complex expansion project.
Beyond infrastructure, the funds are earmarked to propel comparative medicine research. This innovative field examines health and disease mechanisms across different species, offering insights that can benefit both animal and human health. The donation will also strengthen targeted studies into critical illnesses, including cancer, neurological disorders, and heart disease.
Addressing the National Veterinarian Shortage
A key objective of this gift is to help tackle the pressing shortage of veterinarians in the United States. By expanding and modernizing facilities, UC Davis aims to attract, educate, and train a larger cohort of veterinary students. The school emphasized that this investment is vital for building the necessary capacity to meet growing national demands for veterinary care.
In a heartfelt statement, Joan Weill expressed the family's inspiration: "Angel’s care at UC Davis left a lasting impression on our family. As Sandy and I became more involved with the school over the years, we have been continually inspired by its leadership, dedication to team science, pursuit of solving complex health challenges and its unwavering commitment to animals and the families who love them."
Who is Sandy Weill?
Sandy Weill, 92, is a renowned figure in the world of finance. Following a distinguished career, he has been an active member of the UC Davis Chancellor’s Board of Advisors since 2014. His philanthropic and leadership roles extend widely; he serves as chair of the Weill Family Foundation, president of the Carnegie Hall Board of Trustees, and chair emeritus of Weill Cornell Medicine.
Weill's accolades include being named CEO of the Year by FinancialWorld magazine in 1998 and receiving the same honor from Chief Executive magazine in 2002. Born to Polish Jewish immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in government from Cornell University in 1955, the same year he married Joan H. Mosher.
The couple currently resides on a 362-acre estate in Sonoma, California, which they purchased in 2010. They have two children: daughter Jessica Bibliowicz, who held executive roles in financial services and served as CEO of National Financial Partners, and son Marc Weill, who also held leadership positions in his father's financial companies before moving into venture capital.
This landmark donation not only secures the legacy of the Weill family at UC Davis but also positions the veterinary school for a future of expanded impact, innovative research, and enhanced education for the next generation of veterinarians.
