Chancellor Gary S. May issued the following statement today (Jan.4):

On behalf of the entire UC Davis community, I want to express my deep sadness at the loss of Marshall McKay, former chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation and good friend to the university. The Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation is one of the three federally recognized Patwin tribes, and the Davis campus is located on Patwin land.

Marshall’s commitment to Native American cultural renewal included a focus on education and sustainable land-use practices. He supported these efforts at UC Davis, which included, under his leadership, the Tribe steward gifts for the Mondavi Center and two endowed chairs — one for Native American studies and another in pediatric endocrinology. He also served as a board member of the UC Davis Foundation. We are endlessly grateful for his friendship and partnership.

I offer our sincere condolences to his family, friends, Yocha Dehe, and the broader California Indian community. We will remember with fondness and gratitude how much he inspired our students, faculty and staff and do our utmost to honor him and carry his legacy forward.