Building Made Possible Through Outpouring of Community Support

(left to right) Grace Yin, Frank Yin (Univ. of Washington), G. Burtt Holmes (Whitaker Foundation), Harold Agnew (Powell Foundation), Beverly Agnew

The $37 million Powell-Focht Bioengineering Hall, which is named in honor of the Charles Lee Powell Foundation and the late San Diego Superior Court Judge James L. Focht, is the first academic facility on the UCSD campus funded almost entirely by private contributions. The building was made possible by the Whitaker Foundation’s Leadership Award of $17.2 million, the Powell Foundation’s gift of $8 million, a $2 million gift from the William J. von Liebig Foundation (part of a $10 million gift to establish the von Liebig Center for Entrepreneurism and Technology Advancement), as well as many other generous contributions from alumni, friends and industry supporters. The University is continuing to seek support to completly fund the building. Everyone who contributes $1,000 or more is recognized on a donor wall which is the centerpiece of the Powell-Focht entry. If you would like to help, contact Kelly Briggs at (858) 534-2329, kbriggs@ucsd.edu.