UC Davis Foundation Content

Alum Mike Gilson Wins 2026 Soderquist Award

Cody Kitaura — May 26, 2026 - 8:00am

The UC Davis Foundation is honoring Michael E. “Mike” Gilson ’73 with the 2026 Charles J. Soderquist Award.

Gilson has served as chair of the UC Davis Library Leadership Board since its founding in 2017. His leadership and personal giving have consistently propelled fundraising efforts and allowed the library to flourish.

The Soderquist Award is named after an esteemed alum and entrepreneur and recognizes individuals who, like him, have given back to the university through philanthropy, volunteerism and leadership.

Alum Kevin Bacon Receives 2025 Charles J. Soderquist Award

Jose Antonio Vadi — May 20, 2025 - 10:39am

On May 1, the UC Davis Foundation presented Kevin Bacon ’72 with the 2025 Charles J. Soderquist Award at a celebratory luncheon.

Named in honor of the widely esteemed UC Davis alum and entrepreneur who was dedicated to advancing the university, the award recognizes Aggies who demonstrate Soderquist’s legacy of exceptional philanthropy, volunteerism and leadership within the UC Davis community.

UC Davis Foundation Honors Rita Gibson With Charles J. Soderquist Award

Dave Jones — February 15, 2022 - 12:43pm

In a celebration long delayed by the pandemic, the UC Davis Foundation on Feb. 4 honored Sacramento business owner and philanthropist Rita Gibson ’82 as the 2020 winner of the university’s Charles J. Soderquist Award.

The award is given in recognition of philanthropy, volunteerism, leadership and an overall commitment to UC Davis, as exemplified by the award’s namesake, a UC Davis alumnus and entrepreneur.

Foundation Presents Charles J. Soderquist Award

Dave Jones — May 07, 2019 - 12:05pm

The UC Davis Foundation recently presented its 2019 Charles J. Soderquist Award to Stephen Boutin, a 1972 graduate of the School of Law. The award is given annually in recognition of philanthropy, volunteerism, leadership and an overall commitment to the university, and is named after the late foundation chair who exemplified all those traits.