UC San Diego Announces Recipients of Chancellor’s and Revelle Medals

The University of California San Diego today announced the 2019 recipients of the esteemed Chancellor’s Medal and Revelle Medal.

This year’s awardees of the Chancellor’s Medal, one of the highest honors given by UC San Diego to recognize exceptional service in support of the campus’ mission, include: Taner Halıcıoğlu ’96, the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, Iris Lynn and Matthew Strauss, and Andrew J. Viterbi. The Revelle Medal recognizes current and former faculty members for sustained, distinguished and extraordinary service to UC San Diego. The 2019 Revelle Medalists are: Marjorie C. Caserio, Ann L. Craig, Lawrence B. Krause and Joseph W. Watson.

Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla will bestow the awards upon a distinguished group of honorees during UC San Diego’s Founders Celebration, which will take place Nov. 14-16. The annual celebration recognizes the anniversary of the institution’s 1960 founding and the dedicated individuals who have helped establish the campus as one of the top research universities worldwide.

“It is a privilege to recognize these outstanding thought leaders as part of our Founders Celebration,” said Chancellor Khosla. “Nearly 60 years ago, UC San Diego’s founders built a collaborative and interdisciplinary research culture that has advanced the frontiers of knowledge, shaped new fields of study, and disseminated discoveries that transform lives. Each of this year’s Revelle honorees has helped build and maintain the university’s global reputation as a hub for impactful research and innovations, ranging from discoveries in health care to the development of global policy.”

The Chancellor’s Medal

Since its establishment in 2000, the Chancellor’s Medal has been awarded annually to select community leaders and philanthropists whose longstanding contributions and involvement have supported promising students, furthered meaningful research and helped the campus and local region grow and prosper. With excerpts from their nominations, the 2019 Chancellor’s Medal honorees include:

Taner Halıcıoğlu ’96

“Taner’s transition from UC San Diego undergraduate to visionary philanthropist … is a testament to his selflessness and passion for giving back to the university that bolstered him, and a model for paying forward knowledge, experience and generosity.”

An accomplished computer scientist, alumnus Taner Halıcıoğlu ’96 has transformed how data science is explored worldwide. Halıcıoğlu graduated from UC San Diego with a Computer Science degree and went on to be Facebook’s first full-time hire in 2004, where he was instrumental in scaling the hardware infrastructure that enabled the platform’s explosive growth. He also worked at Loudcloud, eBay and Blizzard Entertainment before returning to UC San Diego as a lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering. In 2017, Halıcıoğlu committed $75 million to establish the Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute—the largest contribution ever given by a UC San Diego alumnus. He remains an investor in over 40 San Diego area start-ups and is a member of both the UC San Diego Alumni Board of Directors, as well as the UC San Diego Computer Science and Engineering Alumni Advisory Board.

Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation

“The support of the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation has paved the way for remarkable breakthroughs in marine microbiology, conservation efforts, science communication, quantum materials, astrophysics and patient care that inspire others to look deeper.”

Recognized in 2017 as California’s most generous philanthropists, Gordon and Betty Moore have made lasting contributions to science, health, technology, education and environmental conservation. Gordon Moore, co-founder of Intel, and his wife Betty, established the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation in 2000 to foster path-breaking scientific discovery, environmental conservation, patient care improvements and preservation of the special character of the Bay Area. Since 2004, the foundation has given the university over $62 million in support. UC San Diego beneficiaries of their foundation grants include Scripps Institution of Oceanography, School of Medicine, Jacobs School of Engineering and UC San Diego’s Divisions of Biological and Physical Sciences Research Communications program, which equips scientists with the tools to communicate their research to lay audiences. The foundation has also generously supported the Qualcomm Institute’s Community Cyberinfrastructure for Advanced Marine Microbial Research and Analysis (CAMERA), helping researchers advance understanding in microbial genetics, ocean communities and the global ecosystem.

Iris Lynn and Matthew Strauss

“Their giving reflects their extraordinary curiosity and commitment to making a difference—from their laser-focus on advancing breakthroughs in cancer and [UC San Diego’s] Preuss School, Chancellor’s Associates and the Stuart Collection, to cardiovascular and eye research.”

Iris Lynn and Matthew Strauss have made a significant impact on UC San Diego—and throughout the region—with support in areas including arts, culture and cancer research. The Strauss Family has supported many initiatives across the UC San Diego campus for nearly three decades. The couple are Campaign Cabinet members, serve on the Health Sciences Board of Advisors and co-chair the development committee. UC San Diego Health, including Moores Cancer Center, has been their recent fundraising focus with gifts to create the Iris and Matthew Strauss Center for Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer and to help fund the development of a cancer vaccine. Alongside their passion in revolutionizing health innovations, the couple are strong supporters of arts and cultural institutions such as the Jewish Community Foundation, La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Symphony, the Old Globe and the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. 

Andrew J. Viterbi

“Andrew is a visionary and pioneer who has changed billions of lives around the world, through combining the power of technology with heartfelt passion to better humankind and make the world a better place.”

A world-renowned pioneer in the communications world, Andrew J. Viterbi is credited for transforming the way people connect and communicate through his groundbreaking “Viterbi Algorithm.” Viterbi spent equal portions of his career in industry, having previously co-founded Linkabit Corporation and Qualcomm, and in academia as an engineering professor—first at UCLA and then at UC San Diego, where he is now Professor Emeritus. He is currently president of the Viterbi Group, a technical advisory and investment company. In 2018, Viterbi gifted $50 million to UC San Diego to create the Viterbi Family Vision Research Center and the Viterbi Family Department of Ophthalmology, the first named Health Sciences department at the university. Inspired by his father, Achille, an ophthalmologist, Viterbi’s gift is dedicated to advancing research, education and eye care, and has established six new endowed chairs for faculty.

The Revelle Medal

The Revelle Medal—created in honor of Roger Revelle who helped establish UC San Diego during his tenure from 1950-1964 as director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography—honors the contributions of current and former faculty members to UC San Diego. The 2019 recipients are noted below, along with excerpts from their nomination:

Marjorie C. Caserio

“Dr. Caserio’s distinguished career as a researcher, educator, author and academic administrator has had a transformative impact on our university community. [Her] service to the university truly exemplifies Roger Revelle’s vision for UC San Diego…”

Marjorie C. Caserio is a London-born scientist and educator who joined UC San Diego in 1990, having previously served as founding member of the UC Irvine faculty and chair of the chemistry department. At UC San Diego, Caserio served as vice chancellor of Academic Affairs and interim chancellor. While serving the institution, she headed efforts to establish an undergraduate major in connection with UC San Diego's Scripps Institution of Oceanography, a new major in women’s studies, a department of ethnic studies and a new doctorate program in mathematics/science education. Caserio has also authored four textbooks in her field, including “Basic Principles of Organic Chemistry,” which was the most widely used undergraduate organic chemistry textbook in the nation during the 1960s and 1970s. She remains an active participant in the UC San Diego Emeriti Mentor program, and has received the American Chemical Society’s “Service Through Chemistry” award and the Garvan Medal from the American Chemical Society.

Ann L. Craig

“Throughout her career, Dr. Craig’s clear passion has been education…That began in the classroom as a dedicated and well-loved teacher, but had its greatest impact on the campus community through her innovative leadership of Eleanor Roosevelt College.”

Ann L. Craig received her doctorate in comparative politics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and went on to join the UC San Diego Political Science department faculty in 1979. Craig’s research and publication has focused on social movements and public policy in Mexico. At UC San Diego, she served as provost of Eleanor Roosevelt College and was instrumental in integrating global education and service within the campus. Following her retirement, Craig contributed to the institution with roles including: Interim Provost at Revelle and Sixth Colleges; president of the Emeriti Association; chair of the Academic Senate Committee on International Education; and member of the University Committee on International Education. Craig is also active in the Chancellor's Scholars Mentor Program and has been honored with a Dickson Emeriti Award.

Lawrence B. Krause

“He took his position as founding member of the [School of Global Policy and Strategy] with complete dedication … His engagement was never just international or national, but extended to the local community where his efforts at outreach and public education made an impact.”

Lawrence B. Krause earned a doctorate in economics from Harvard University and was a founding faculty member of UC San Diego’s School of Global Policy and Strategy (formerly called School of International Relations and Pacific Studies) in 1986. A Professor Emeritus at the school, he is one of the world’s top authorities on trade and economic issues in the Pacific region and has authored a variety of publications on the topic. Krause served as a senior member of the White House Council of Economic Advisors in the Johnson administration, and has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He is currently Director Emeritus of the Korea-Pacific Program at the school, which he founded in 1989 in promotion of a greater understanding of contemporary North and South Korea, including international relations, politics, public policy and the business environment. In addition, Krause oversaw the annual Pacific Economic Outlook, an economic forecasting project on the Pacific region.

Joseph W. Watson

“We may attribute our standing as an agent of social mobility, a curator of nontraditional student experiences and a champion for our wider community largely to Dr. Watson’s ingenuity and service.”

Dedicating 41 years of service at UC San Diego, Joseph W. Watson began his career at the campus as an assistant professor of chemistry in 1966. He was named as the first provost of Third College in 1970 and appointed vice chancellor of Student Affairs in 1981. Dr. Watson’s advocacy for the success of UC San Diego students was highlighted through his guidance of such transformative initiatives as the Career and Student Services centers, the Undergraduate Research and Opportunities Abroad programs, TritonLink, RIMAC and the North Campus Recreation Area, Price Center and the transition from Division III to Division II athletics. Further, as a proponent of diversity and inclusion, Watson worked diligently to increase housing for transfer students and financial aid and scholarship support for low- and middle-income students.