THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US ON OUR 6TH ANNUAL GIVE DAY! CLICK HERE TO STILL MAKE A GIFT!
College of Letters and Science
Your Generosity Supports Student Learning In and Out of the Classroom

The College of Letters and Science is the heart of UC Davis. We are the largest and most diverse of the campus’s four colleges with more than 14,000 undergraduate students, of whom 44 percent are first generation and 38 percent are underrepresented minorities. Our commitment to inclusivity and access has earned us a No. 3 ranking among U.S. universities “doing the most for the American Dream,” according to The New York Times College Access Index.

Of course, access is just a first step to ensuring success for our students. Inside our classrooms, studios and labs, undergraduates learn to think creatively across disciplines and research solutions to today's most pressing challenges.

Some of the most profound and lasting student experiences happen beyond the classroom, which is why your gift on Give Day matters more than ever. The majority of our students take advantage of internships, study abroad, research and leadership opportunities, all critical components of the world-class education offered through the College of Letters and Science. Students who pursue these cocurricular experiences not only benefit in their journey toward successful careers, but also develop critical skills as global citizens.

Philanthropy and alumni support help make all of this possible. 

Together, we can change students’ lives and enable them to go beyond the expected. No matter which challenge you choose to support, when you give to the College of Letters and Science at UC Davis, you are investing in a bright future for students who need it most.

Thank you for supporting the College of Letters and Science!

Among the top 20 in the nation!
Apr 23, 2022

College Programs Rank Among ‘Best Graduate Schools’

UC Davis College of Letters and Science graduate programs in psychology, statistics and earth science rank in the top 20 in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Graduate Schools rankings.

The annual Best Graduate Schools rankings are based on different types of data: survey results relating to academic excellence and statistical indicators that assess the achievements of a program or school’s students and faculty.

UC Davis’ psychology program tied for the 12th spot out of 331 public and private national universities in the 2023 rankings, up from 26th (tie) in 2018, the last time graduate programs in the discipline were ranked. 

Statistics made a similar leap to tie for 13th out of 101 private and public programs nationwide, up from 31st in 2019. Biostatistics rose to 24th (tie), up from 50th over that same period.

U.S. News & World Report ranked earth science as 19th out of 157 private and public programs, up from 24th (tie) in 2019. In new specialities, UC Davis geochemistry took the 25th spot, and earth science – environmental science, 8th.

Other programs ranked this year in the top 50:

  1. Economics — International Economics, 16th
  2. Economics, 26th 
  3. Chemistry, 30th
  4. Mathematics, 32nd (tie)
  5. Physics, 32nd (tie)
  6. Computer science, 43rd
Can I give now? Before Give Day starts?
Apr 16, 2022

Of course you can! 

Click on any challenge or page on this site, and you will be directed to an area where you can support UC Davis or UC Davis Health.

We know you are busy. That's why we made it possible for everyone to give early and be counted on Give Day. 

Join us today, if you want to! 

Every gift makes a difference! And we appreciate your support!

Give during Give Day to turn your state and the world Gold!
Rank State Gifts
1 CA 270
2 OR 8
3 TX 7
$50,000
Planned Giving Challenge - Wayne & Jacque Bartholomew
THANK YOU to Wayne and Jacque Bartholomew and all those who requested a planned giving one-on-one consultation this Give Day. We are grateful for your support!
Completed
$5,000
Employee Giving Committee Challenge
Thank you to our Employee Giving Committee Members and colleagues who are making a difference by investing in programs at UC Davis! Your support helps us harness the power of UC Davis’ remarkable programs to make a difference. Your generosity will continue to inspire faculty and staff to create a brighter future for students, while furthering lifesaving research and services.
500 / 500 Gifts
Completed
$10,000
Family Fellows Challenge for Parent Giving
We reached our goal of 150 gifts! Thank you to all parents and donors for your generosity--and thanks to Family Fellows Parent, Liz Schenk, for her generous support of UC Davis.
150 / 150 Gifts
Completed
$54,500
Psychology Department Support Challenge
THANK YOU Dean Keith Simonton and to all donors who gave for your generous support of the Psychology Department!
10 / 10 Gifts
Completed
$35,000
Schefsky Foundation Political Science Diversity Challenge
THANK YOU to the Schefsky Foundation and to all those who gave to the Schefsky Political Science Diversity Challenge this Give Day. We are grateful for your support!
Completed
$20,000
Global Tea Initiative Challenge
We would like to extend a big thank you to Manik Jayakumar, the Two Leaves for Life Foundation, all donors who gave to this challenge for your devotion to the Global Tea Initiative. Thank you for your contributions to our initiative.
Completed
$10,000
Physics and Astronomy Opportunity Award Challenge
A big thank you to Rena and Gregory and all those who chose to support this challenge. We are very grateful for your support. More information on how the award will be used is available from the department's web pages. https://physics.ucdavis.edu/
Completed
$10,000
Math Department Challenge
THANK YOU to Val Chan, Jin Chang, and all those who choose to support the Mathematics Department on Give Day! We are tremendously grateful for your support.
10 / 10 Gifts
Completed
$2,500
Political Science "Beyond the Classroom" Challenge in Memory of Robert Lorenz Warren (c/o 1990)
'Thank you for your generous support of the Political Science Beyond the Classroom fund!
10 / 10 Gifts
Completed
$6,000
Herbert A. Young Society Challenge
THANK YOU to Kevin and Kim Bacon and all those who supported the Herbert A. Young Society on Give Day! We are tremendously grateful for your support.
Completed
$7,000
The Mathematics Research Prize Challenge
Thank you, Professor Emeritus Craig A. Tracy and Barbara Nelson, for setting this Give Day challenge and your investment in the Mathematics Department! And thanks to all who contribute to this challenge on Give Day. Your support makes a difference!
Completed
$5,300
Music Department and Shinkoskey Series of Noon Concerts Challenge
THANK YOU to Bret Hewitt and everyone who chose to support the UC Davis Music Department on Give Day! We are tremendously grateful for your support.
Completed
$5,000
College of Letters and Science Annual Fund Challenge
Thank you to the Davidson Family and all those who gave to the College of Letters and Science Annual Fund this Give Day. We are grateful for your support!
40 / 40 Gifts
Completed
$5,000
Marchand Public Initiative Challenge
THANK YOU to Jeff ‘87 and Nancy McTygue ’88 ’89 ’96 and all those who gave to the Marchand Public Engagement Fund on Give Day. We are grateful for your support!
Completed
$5,000
Economics Support Challenge
Thank you to Melissa Hamilton '05 and all those who gave to Economics this Give Day. We are grateful for your support.
10 / 10 Gifts
Completed
$5,000
The English Beyond the Classroom Challenge
Thank you, Lois Ann, for your generous investment in the UC Davis English Department--and thanks to all who contributed to this challenge on Give Day! Your gift makes a difference.
Completed
$5,000
Human Rights Beyond the Classroom Challenge Fund
A big thank you to Lisa and all who chose to support this important cause. We are very grateful for your support.
10 / 10 Gifts
Completed
$5,000
C.N. Gorman Museum Challenge
THANK YOU to the Bieri family and all those who supported the C.N. Gorman Museum on Give Day!
5 / 5 Gifts
Completed
$5,000
Language Department Challenge
THANK YOU to Greg Redmond and Carrie Cornwell for sharing their passion for the German/Russian department and promoting language and humanities as a whole. And thank you to everyone who helped meet this challenge on Give Day! Your gift makes a difference. "Taking a two-year break from practicing primary care medicine at UCDHs for 27 years to complete a master's degree in German at UCD saved my quality of life. As a result of my completing the program, I believe I am a kinder, more generous and thoughtful man to my wife, my son, my other family members, my friends and my community. I hope I am a better physician and citizen."
Completed
Leaderboard
Battle of the Colleges
Support your College to move them up the leader board. A gift of any size will increase their ranking!
Rank Colleges Gifts
1 College of Engineering 429
2 College of Letters and Science 330
3 College of Biological Sciences 285
4 College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences 236
Ended
$4,000
Letters and Science Beyond the Classroom Fund
A big thank you to Judy and to all those who chose to support this important cause. We are very grateful for your generous support.
10 / 10 Gifts
Completed
$3,000
C. N. Gorman Museum Internship Fund
A big thank you to Judy Moores for her generous support--and to all those who choose to support this worthy cause. Your gift makes a difference!
Completed
$3,000
C.N. Gorman Museum Support Challenge
THANK YOU to Steven, Yuri and to all of the generous donors that chose to support the C.N. Gorman Museum!
Completed
$2,500
Chemistry Challenge
THANK YOU to Cynthia Friend '77 and Robert Madix and all those who gave to the Chemistry Challenge this Give Day. We are grateful for your support!
Completed
$2,500
Asian and Pacific Islander Studies Challenge
Thank you for your generous support to Asian American, East Asian, Middle East/South Asia Studies and the New Viet Nam Studies Initiative at UC Davis!
Completed
$2,500
Art Studio General Support Challenge
Thank you, Sheila and Nora, for your generous support--and thanks to all who donated to the Art Studio General Support Fund on Give Day! Your gift makes a difference.
Completed
$2,500
Mind and Brain Student Support Challenge
THANK YOU to the Mangun-Swaab Family and all those who gave to the Mind and Brain Student Support Challenge this Give Day. We are very grateful for your support!
15 / 15 Gifts
Completed
$2,500
Picnic Day Fashion Show Challenge
A big thank you to Nancy and Bill Roe and all those who chose to support this wonderful cause. We are very grateful for your generous support.
Completed
$2,500
Chemical Biology Graduate Program Challenge
THANK YOU to Sheila David and Peter Beal and all those who supported the Chemical Biology Graduate Program Challenge on Give Day! We are grateful for your support!
Completed
$10,000
Political Science Beyond the Classroom Challenge
THANK YOU to UCD alumna Danielle Blacet-Hyden and all donors for your generous support of the Political Science Beyond the Classroom fund! Your support means the world to us!
10 / 10 Gifts
Completed
$2,500
Earth and Planetary Science Student Support Fund
THANK YOU Margie Latham, Tom Latham, and all those who made a donation toward this challenge on Give Day! We are tremendously grateful for your support.
Completed
$3,500
Geology General Support Challenge
THANK YOU to the donors and alumni volunteers on the EPS Advisory Board! We are grateful for your support and enthusiasm!
Completed
$3,500
Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies Challenge
Thank you to the community who made this challenge gift possible. Over a dozen passionate individual donors helped create the first Give Day challenge for the Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies. We are so grateful for your support, and to all those who contribute to this challenge.
Completed
$3,000
Davis Humanities Institute's Graduate Public Scholars Program
A big thank you to Bret, gayle and Cyril for creating this DHI Give Day Challenge, and to all who chose to support this great cause.
10 / 10 Gifts
Completed
$2,500
Economics Beyond the Classroom Challenge
THANK YOU to economics alumni Scott Cain ’90, Dave Healy ’76, Doug Huberman ’89 and to all those who gave to the Economics Beyond the Classroom Challenge this Give Day. We are very grateful for your support!
10 / 10 Gifts
Completed
$2,500
Fund for the Future of History Challenge
THANK YOU to the History Department Faculty and all those who gave to the Fund for the Future of History Challenge this Give Day. We are very grateful for your support!
10 / 10 Gifts
Completed
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Areas and Funds to Support
Annual Fund Aggies Helping Aggies Arboretum and Public Garden Athletics Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing Cal Aggie Alumni Association Center for Neuroscience College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences College of Biological Sciences College of Engineering College of Letters and Science Continuing and Professional Education COSMOS Division of Student Affairs Emergency Funds Employee Giving Energy and Efficiency Institute Global Affairs Graduate School of Management Graduate Studies Institute of Transportation Studies Manetti Shrem Museum Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts Office of Research Parents Fund Picnic Day School of Education School of Law School of Medicine School of Veterinary Medicine UC Davis Health UC Davis Library Undergraduate Education and Scholarships Women & Philanthropy

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