Feb. 13 - Alum pledges $35.5 million gift; California quake danger
Section 1
Ducks and Anteaters unite at Saturday’s Homecoming festival in Aldrich Park. Scroll down for more pictures from the event. Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI
UCI ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS
Paul Butterworth, shown here with his wife, Jo Butterworth, says his gratitude for receiving financial aid to attend UCI “is what inspired us to pledge support for [future] students, so they can follow their dreams despite their financial situations.” Photo by Roland Lane
UCI alum and financial aid recipient gifts $35.5 million to alma mater
Alumnus Paul Butterworth, co-founder and chief technology officer of enterprise software developer Vantiq Inc., and his wife, Jo Butterworth, also a UCI graduate, have named the university as a beneficiary of their estate. The gift, valued at approximately $35.5 million, will support the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences. The largest gift to UCI from alumni, the donation will be allocated in a variety of ways, including awards, scholarships and fellowships for students and to finance new research initiatives and faculty chairs.
UCI pharmacist argues for expanding opioid addiction treatment facilities
In a feature article recently published in the journal The Senior Care Pharmacist, Jonathan Watanabe, a professor of clinical pharmacy and a board-certified geriatric pharmacist, argues that the U.S. needs to expand the number of pharmacies that can play a role in treating opioid addiction. Opioid abuse has considerably worsened in recent years. People over 65 are at increased risk for opioid use disorder and related complications. They’re also more likely to require hospitalization, and they have the highest death rates.
UC NEWS AND GENERAL NEWS
Turkey tragedy provides timely earthquake danger reminder to Californians
In the wake of the devastating 7.8 earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria, Californians need to remember that we are overdue for an event of similar size, according to a story in today’s Los Angeles Times. A quake of that magnitude in Southern California could kill an estimated 1,800 people and cause 50,000 injuries, with up to $200 billion in damage. Although cell phone and utility services are likely to be disrupted, there are still many things residents can do to prepare themselves.
Amid overall decline, XBB.1.5 omicron subvariant now dominates US cases
In an update on respiratory virus activity, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that the XBB.1.5 omicron subvariant is now dominant in most U.S. regions as a decline in infections appears to be slowing or leveling off. The more transmissible subvariant now makes up an estimated 74.7% of cases, up from 66.4% last week. The only area where the subvariant isn't dominant is in the far northwest, which includes Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.
EVENTS
Love Data Week
Today through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (co-sponsored by UCI Libraries)
COVID Bivalent Booster Clinic
Wednesday through Thursday, 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. (sponsored by Student Health Center)
Live-Online LSAT Strategy Workshop
Wednesday, 6 p.m. (sponsored by Division of Continuing Education)
Visit today.uci.edu to see and submit event listings. Events of general interest will be shared in UCI Digest two days before they occur.
UCI IN THE NEWS
Note: Some news sites require subscriptions to read articles. The UCI Libraries offer free subscriptions to The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Orange County Register and The Washington Post for students, faculty and staff.
COVID vaccines remain optional at K-12 schools. Will colleges keep requiring them?
The Mercury News, Feb. 11
Cited: Andrew Noymer, associate professor of population health and disease prevention
Natural disasters, boosted by climate change, displaced millions of people in U.S. in 2022
NBC News, Feb. 12
Cited: Michael Méndez, assistant professor of environmental policy and planning
How Technology Integration Supports Precision Medicine
Health Tech, Feb. 10
Cited: Dr. Peter Chang, assistant professor in residence in the Department of Radiological Sciences
#UCICONNECTED
Homecoming festivities fill Aldrich Park
The upper lawn in Aldrich Park is readied for Saturday’s homecoming festivities. Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI
UCI gets some face-painting love. Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI
Homecoming is an opportunity for both making and celebrating friendships. Photo by Steve Zylius/UCI
#UCIconnected spotlights student, alumni, faculty and staff photos, essays, shoutouts, hobbies, artwork, unusual office decorations, activities and more. Send submissions via email or post on social media with the #UCIconnected hashtag.