Funding the Future

This year, alumni, faculty, staff, and cash-strapped students stepped forward to fund both established and new giving programs. Contributions to the School exceeded one million, making it the second-best fundraising year in UC Davis School of Law history. The Annual Fund hit an all time high of $240,000. Gifts to the Building Initiative, which include the King Hall Expansion and Renovation Project and Naming Opportunities, reached $3 million of an $8 million goal, enabling groundbreaking ceremonies to move forward in September 2007 and construction to being in January 2008. Gifts to the clinical programs increased. The Martha West Social Justice Scholarship Fund, established by retiring Professor Marty West, reached close to $100,000 after an enthusiastic response from alumni.  For the first time, the Alumni Association was able to honor three outstanding third-year students with scholarships.

Dean Rex Perschbacher attributed the increase in support to more alumni, friends, and others understanding how their support of the Law School and its programs can make a significant impact on the future of the profession and the people of the state, nation, and world.

Over the past three years, members of the King Hall community, which included alumni, faculty, staff, and students, worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the importance of giving back to the Law School. "The future is bright," said Dean Perschbacher, "but much more needs to be done in lieu of dwindling state funds."

While private law schools have a strong tradition of giving back among alumni, public law schools do not. Public law alumni are often surprised at solicitations for annual contributions. The Law School and its staff are committed to continuing to raise awareness of the need for private donations.

Please attend an alumni event this year and ask how you can help.