Former Citigroup CEO Sandy Weill has donated $120 million to the veterinary school at the University of California, Davis, the largest gift ever made in veterinary medicine. The donation is a significant gesture from the billionaire banker and his wife, Joan, who have also been vocal supporters of various educational and medical institutions.
The couple's decision to support UC Davis comes after the school provided exceptional care for their late dog, Angel, a bichon frisé. After Angel passed away in 2018, Weill and Joan adopted another dog, Sweet Pea, of the same breed, leading them to explore ways to honor their beloved pets' memory.
Their philanthropic efforts have been substantial, with the couple donating more than $1.5 billion to various institutions across education, medicine, and culture. Notable gifts include a $106 million donation to launch a neurological disease initiative at several top medical centers and a $50 million grant to establish a collaborative cancer research hub.
The $120 million gift from Weill will be used to support expansion and training initiatives at UC Davis, with a focus on comparative medicine and research into conditions affecting both animals and humans. A significant portion of the donation will go towards constructing a new animal teaching hospital, which will enable the school to care for an additional 20,000 animals annually and participate in cutting-edge research.
The university aims to bolster its veterinary campus by increasing enrollment in its Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program from 600 to 800 and training more specialists. The school is currently facing a dire shortage of veterinarians, with only 76% of the projected 70,000 new graduates needed by 2032 anticipated.
Weill's philanthropic efforts are expected to have a lasting impact on the university and veterinary medicine as a whole. "UC Davis is home to one of the world's most outstanding veterinary schools and many of the brightest minds in animal and human medicine," Weill said in a statement. "We are proud to support an institution where groundbreaking research and compassionate care are prioritized together, and where discovery benefits both animal and human health."
The university will rename its school in honor of Weill's generosity, with the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine set to become one of the top veterinary programs globally.
The couple's decision to support UC Davis comes after the school provided exceptional care for their late dog, Angel, a bichon frisé. After Angel passed away in 2018, Weill and Joan adopted another dog, Sweet Pea, of the same breed, leading them to explore ways to honor their beloved pets' memory.
Their philanthropic efforts have been substantial, with the couple donating more than $1.5 billion to various institutions across education, medicine, and culture. Notable gifts include a $106 million donation to launch a neurological disease initiative at several top medical centers and a $50 million grant to establish a collaborative cancer research hub.
The $120 million gift from Weill will be used to support expansion and training initiatives at UC Davis, with a focus on comparative medicine and research into conditions affecting both animals and humans. A significant portion of the donation will go towards constructing a new animal teaching hospital, which will enable the school to care for an additional 20,000 animals annually and participate in cutting-edge research.
The university aims to bolster its veterinary campus by increasing enrollment in its Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program from 600 to 800 and training more specialists. The school is currently facing a dire shortage of veterinarians, with only 76% of the projected 70,000 new graduates needed by 2032 anticipated.
Weill's philanthropic efforts are expected to have a lasting impact on the university and veterinary medicine as a whole. "UC Davis is home to one of the world's most outstanding veterinary schools and many of the brightest minds in animal and human medicine," Weill said in a statement. "We are proud to support an institution where groundbreaking research and compassionate care are prioritized together, and where discovery benefits both animal and human health."
The university will rename its school in honor of Weill's generosity, with the UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine set to become one of the top veterinary programs globally.
I'm really glad to see wealthy folks like Sandy Weill using their means to support something as awesome as a vet school 
. I mean, it's not just about giving back, but also about advancing our understanding of animal health and potentially humans too 
. It's great that UC Davis is getting a major boost from the $120 million donation 
. The expansion plans for their animal teaching hospital will surely help alleviate the shortage of vets and lead to some groundbreaking research 
. I'm all for investing in education and medical institutions – it's a win-win for animals, humans, and society as a whole 
just great, another rich person thinks they can buy their way into our hearts by donating a gazillion dollars to some university 
but let's be real, what about all the other animals that don't get any love from us? like the millions of stray dogs and cats out there who are just trying to survive on the streets 
meanwhile this guy loses his dog and suddenly he's got a conscience? 
and now we're stuck with some fancy new animal hospital that's gonna cost more money to run than it's worth 
This is so awesome! Sandy & Joan Weill are literally legends 
! They should get an award for that alone 
. But what's even more amazing is their dedication to animal welfare and education. It's clear they're passionate about making a difference 
. The fact that UC Davis gets to build a new animal teaching hospital with 20,000 additional animals each year? Game-changer 
! And it's not just about the money – it's about their commitment to groundbreaking research and compassionate care. We should all take a cue from this power couple 
. But I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt here. Maybe he's finally found a way to channel his banking skills into something more... humane? 
i'm sure angel, their late bichon frisé, would be super proud of them too. and can you believe they're already donating 1.5 billion to other causes? what a generous couple! the new animal teaching hospital is going to change so many lives, including those of our furry friends 
! I mean, Sandy and Joan are already big time philanthropists but this is on another level 
. The new animal teaching hospital will be a game-changer for research and care. I'm also loving how UC Davis is expanding its program to tackle shortage of vets 
. This gift will make a huge difference and Weill's legacy as a supporter of education and medicine will live on forever 
. I'm all about giving credit where credit is due – Sandy and Joan's philanthropy is truly heartwarming 
i mean, who wouldn't want to give back after receiving so much love from their pets angel & sweet pea? it's beautiful that they're not only supporting education but also animal welfare 
and research that can help both humans & animals 
. the fact that they're committing so much cash towards training more vets and building a new animal teaching hospital is going to make such a huge difference in the future of veterinary medicine