The Cicerones, “an academic power couple,” according to school officials, have been a part of the university community for nearly 20 years. Each came to the university in 1989, with Ralph Cicerone leading for a time as the university’s fourth chancellor. In 2005, he moved on to become president of the National Academy of Sciences. Carol Cicerone was a professor of cognitive sciences and served on the Academic Senate Committee on Research and was on the school’s committee on research policy.
Mazzo is a significant donor to the school and chief executive of Advanced Medical Optics, a global ophthalmic medical device company. He is a trustee for the school’s foundation and is chairman of the university’s campaign to establish an eye institute with research, education and treatment.
Van der Noort is a leading researcher in multiple sclerosis education, school officials said. He was a professor and chief of neurology, and helped lay the foundation for what is now the school of medicine.
The money raised over the weekend is a drop in the bucket for the university’s long-term goal — UCI has launched a public campaign to raise $1 billion by 2015, officials announced Monday.
The school is well on its way, with private fundraising efforts during the last three years, bringing in $405 million, officials said. The money aims to nurture economic and cultural opportunities at the school and produce a new generation of leaders in California, officials said.
Monday marks the beginning of UCI’s public phase of the initiative. School officials said they will aim at private donors to help fund scholarships and fellowships, add new buildings, update equipment and labs and create and enhance many of the school’s academic programs. The school ended its 2007-08 fiscal year with a record-breaking $130 million raised, the third year it has raised more than $100 million.
JOSEPH SERNA may be reached at (714) 966-4619 or at joseph.serna@latimes.com.
