UCI Engineering Marks 25 Years of Susan and Henry Samueli’s Impact
Nov. 13, 2024 - Samueli School of Engineering Dean Magnus Egerstedt welcomed a room full of faculty, friends and other stakeholders to the UC Irvine campus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, to join in thanking and honoring Susan and Henry Samueli for their impact on engineering education and research at UCI.
In December 1999, Henry Samueli, then the co-founder, chairman and chief technical officer of Broadcom Corp., made a generous $20 million donation to UCI engineering. Ten months later on Oct. 19, 2000, the school was renamed the Henry Samueli School of Engineering.
“What this gift has meant to our school is nothing short of transformational,” said Egerstedt. “It allowed us to hire world class faculty; build new labs, institutes and even buildings; and educate outstanding cohorts of new students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds.” Egerstedt noted the results of these investments have included a significant increase in research funding and in the U.S. News & World Report rankings. “We’ve seen remarkable achievements, so thank you, Henry and Susan.”
The attendees gathered to celebrate the Samuelis, at, fittingly, the Susan and Henry Samueli Interdisciplinary Science Building. The afternoon program featured speakers, videos, a reception and a showcase of student projects.
Egerstedt explained that the initial naming gift was just the beginning of a deep partnership with the philanthropic couple. He emphasized that the main beneficiaries of the Samuelis’ visionary gifts are students.
Engineering Student Council President Edmund Totah spoke about his own journey as a biomedical engineering major and then introduced a video highlighting several engineering students’ experiences at the school.
UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman presented the Samuelis with a special plaque featuring a 3D model of the school that was crafted at the UCI engineering makerspace using laser powder-bed fusion and rendered in silver-color metal to commemorate the 25th anniversary.
“Today, we are celebrating not just a milestone for this school but a legacy of transformative impact made possible by our two dear friends Henry and Susan,” said Gillman. “Twenty-five years ago, their naming gift marked the beginning of a new era, one characterized by groundbreaking research, interdisciplinary collaboration and unparalleled opportunity for students.”
The Samuelis’ commitment to UCI engineering has extended far beyond the initial gift, with a $30 million donation to help build the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Building and a recent $50 million gift for establishing three Engineering+ Institutes: health, environment, society.
Gillman said the Samuelis have empowered UCI researchers to tackle some of humanity’s most pressing challenges whether its advancing sustainability, developing new technologies or improving human health and wellness, “Henry and Susan’s impact is felt across all corners of our campus and therefore around the world,” he said. “They have been more than benefactors, they’ve been visionary partners in excellence.”
The chancellor introduced a video in which the current and two former deans paid tribute to the impact of the Samuelis on the school, and fellow philanthropist Stacey Nicholas also spoke of her own inspiration as a result of her longtime professional association and friendship with the couple.
The program included a panel of faculty experts representing each of the three Engineering+ Institutes. The researchers discussed the school’s efforts to solve problems with interdisciplinary solutions that reach beyond solely an engineering approach. The afternoon concluded with a reception on the courtyard, where seven student project teams displayed prototypes.
“Susan and I have been truly proud to have partnered with UCI,” said Henry Samueli. “In many respects, the naming gift was the first seed. Let’s hope we are both healthy enough that we can be here for the next 25, the golden anniversary.”
– Lori Brandt
