The entire university community is invited on Oct. 22 to celebrate the public launch of UC Davis’ first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign – The Campaign for UC Davis – and the important role of philanthropy in UC Davis’ excellence.

This historic celebration will take place in Jackson Hall at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts.

The program, “A Call to Action,” is scheduled from 10 to 11:15 a.m., with a reception to follow. Both the celebration and reception are open to the public.

In an Aug. 19 message to the campus community, Chancellor Linda Katehi said the campaign “presents us with an unprecedented opportunity to further our ambitious vision for this university through philanthropic support.”

Katehi will be among those delivering remarks at the celebration. The program also includes remarks by alumnus William P. Sullivan ’72, president and chief executive officer of Agilent Technologies Inc., and faculty, staff and students, plus music by the Symphony Orchestra and a video presentation.

The master of ceremonies will be Dr. Michael Chapman, who received his undergraduate degree from UC Davis in 1958 and went on to become chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Chapman, now a professor emeritus, is a member of the Campaign Cabinet and a trustee on the board of the UC Davis Foundation.

The Campaign Cabinet and board of trustees are volunteer advisory groups that help increase philanthropic support for the university and advise university leaders on the comprehensive campaign.

The “quiet” phase of the campaign began on July 1, 2006, with the approval of the UC Office of the President. So far, more than $590 million has been committed toward the goal of $1 billion.

Last week, the UC Board of Regents voted to authorize the launch of the public phase of the campaign.

During this phase, UC Davis will seek to attract philanthropic support broadly, from UC Davis alumni and other friends throughout the state, nation and world. The campaign is considered “comprehensive” because the entire university is involved.

Private support raised for all purposes across the university will be included in the campaign total. This includes student scholarships, graduate student fellowships, faculty support, research, programs, facilities, patient care and unrestricted support for the university. The campaign’s fundraising priorities flow from "UC Davis: A Vision of Excellence," the university’s recently completed strategic framework.

Angela Hokanson is the development and campaign communications manager for the Marketing Unit of University Communications.