At UC San Diego, our students are anything but ordinary. And we are committed to ensuring the next generation of changemakers has access to an education that will empower them to transform our world.

For Joan Levis, her daughter Chloe’s struggle with Crohn’s disease transformed her into a keen fundraiser, a researcher and an advocate for those with “hidden” chronic diseases that are not well understood by most people. It also inspired her to support leading-edge research in Crohn’s disease treatment taking place at UC San Diego, where Chloe’s seven-year battle with the disease finally changed course.

After a long career leading billion-dollar sales organizations for major media outlets including FOX Television and Discovery Communications, Bill McGowan was enjoying his retirement, splitting his time between New York City and La Jolla, when a diagnosis of esophageal cancer caught him by surprise.

Albin Leong, MD ’77, has lived quite the journey. He grew up in a small town near the coast of Oregon. With the passing of his father, his last surviving parent, during his senior year