Hello!

First, and foremost, thank you for your loyal support and leadership giving to UCLA. My name is Pat Petersilia, and I am honored to introduce myself as chair of the UCLA Chancellor’s Society for the next two years. As a university community, we are passing through as challenging an era as any of us might have imagined. The Bruin perseverance I’ve seen throughout this period of hardship speaks to our collective strength, tenacity, and sense of hope.

My relationship with UCLA began in 1969 when I transferred in the spring quarter. Neither of my parents received college degrees, but both insisted that their five children attend, and always placed so much value in the importance of receiving an education. I myself was able to pay my own way through school with various jobs, graduating in 1971.

Initially, my philanthropic connection to UCLA was through sports, having held football season tickets since 1976. Over the years, I saw the same level of work, dedication, and ingenuity that UCLA’s athletes display every day taking place all across campus, in programs I had yet to learn about. I began to broaden my contributions through the Chancellor’s Greatest Needs fund and Jonsson Cancer Center, and ultimately learned about the importance of student scholarship support. My wife and I endowed a student scholarship, recognizing that the expense of a college education today makes it almost impossible for students to pay their own way through UCLA as I was able to do.

As chair, I hope to continue the work of broadening and diversifying the base of leadership level support, and to bring more young alumni into the fold. The pandemic is disproportionately impacting communities of color across the globe, and it is important to recognize this when envisioning the future of the Chancellor’s Society. I hope to strengthen our connections with campus, with each other, and to foster our community in new and creative ways.

Your impassioned support will help UCLA to remain at the forefront of positive local and global change. It will help inspire new leaders, and write new stories. I look forward to our continued collaboration, and to gather again in-person to see old faces and attract new ones!

Warmest regards,

Pat Petersilia ’71
Chair, UCLA Chancellor’s Society

As part of the only cross-campus leadership annual giving program at UCLA, Chancellor’s Society donors hold a uniquely comprehensive perspective of the University’s mission and its impact across disciplines. Dedicated Chancellor’s Society communications and exclusive donor-appreciation events—both on campus and in regions throughout the United States—are just some of the ways we acknowledge leadership annual donors and solidify the community’s foundation.

Chancellor’s Society donors of all recognition levels receive our quarterly Chancellor’s Society newsletter, which celebrates those making a difference at UCLA through their philanthropic support and volunteer commitment. This original publication also highlights different campus programs, spotlights seasonal events on campus, and offers first-look information about invitation-only events and opportunities for deeper involvement.

Chancellor’s Society donors also receive unique opportunities to connect more deeply with fellow UCLA alumni, parents, students, and friends, as well as with the University itself. Chancellor’s Society donors of all recognition levels are welcomed to attend a special academic-year-end event hosted by Chancellor Gene Block. Chancellor’s Cabinet donors are extended an additional invitation to an intimate gathering with Chancellor Block at our annual Winter Quarter reception on campus.

The Chancellor’s Society donor recognition program is committed to enhancing donors’ relationships with UCLA. Donors interested in learning more about the Chancellor’s Society are encouraged to contact their respective regional representative, or our Westwood office at (310) 206-8253.