Welcoming UC Irvine’s new chancellor

The inaugural dinner of Dr. Michael V. Drake, the fifth chancellor of UC Irvine brought together the best and brightest minds in the state.

Some 329 guests gathered at the Island Hotel Newport Beach to honor Drake, who takes the reins of a university facing a multitude of challenges in the new century.

In an address that was both serious and funny, Drake told the crowd, “It is an incredible blessing to have special friends. I got to choose who was invited here tonight, so I only invited people I like.”

Following the laughter at that remark, Drake waxed nostalgic. Rather than addressing the challenges of his new post, he chose to share stories of his life that offered a glimpse into the character and the philosophy of the man.

He discussed a nocturnal bicycle voyage in Marin County; dealing with patients and students during his 20-year career as an ophthalmologist and medical professor at UC San Francisco; and his admiration for his wife Brenda, a respected attorney, and their sons Sean and Christopher.

Referring to the best-selling novel “The Lovely Bones,” Drake said, “My heaven is here. I am honored to assume this position.”

He then added that he was supported by an outstanding team and asked his staff to stand and take a bow.

Dr. Susan Wall, professor of radiology at UC San Francisco, told the crowd that Drake, “takes brilliance to a whole other league. There is brilliant ? and then there is Drake.”

In self-deprecating fashion, Drake downplayed the adulation, telling his assemblage, in effect, that he could never find his keys or remember his appointments if it were not for those staff and family members supporting his work.

Manuel Gomez, vice chancellor of student affairs at UCI, delivered a passionate tribute.

“Drake cares when others may deem it unwise,” he said. “He risks when others would think it unsafe. He dreams when others prefer to be sensible. Michael Drake is a man of ideals, ethics, vision, passion, courage and joy.”

Robert C. Dynes, president of the UC system, praised Drake’s spirit.

He told Drake and the rapt audience, “A sense of triumph and accomplishment will come with both the tough times and the good times ? there will surely be both. Whatever the situation, find happiness, and it will breed enormous success.”

Dynes’ optimism and encouragement come at a time when UCI has been under fire for practices at its medical center. The message was clear: Challenges must be faced; problems must be solved.

Others paying tribute to Drake included Dr. Eugene Washington, executive vice chancellor of UC San Francisco; Michael Gottfredson, executive vice chancellor and provost at UCI, who also served with panache as the emcee of the evening; Dr. Diana Do, assistant professor of ophthalmology at Johns Hopkins University; and Drake’s good friend Charles R. Breyer, a judge for the U.S. District Court of Northern California.

It was with Breyer that Drake bicycled in Marin, looking for stars.

Breyer said, “I will miss my friend. I hope you will return to San Francisco soon, so that we can journey together again on bicycles.”

The Island Hotel did a superb job welcoming the new chancellor and his family to Orange County.

Thanks in part to the generous underwriting of Donald Bren and the Irvine Co., guests dined on filet of beef paired with herb-crusted Pacific sea bass as the Butler Street Blues Band, an ensemble of UCI faculty, student and staff musicians, entertained under the direction of Dave Schetter.

Also working the room was the UCI Jazz Orchestra led by the talented Charles M. Owens.

As the evening progressed, there was plenty of table-hopping. Newport’s Tom and Elizabeth Tierney were spotted in the crowd. Distinguished Corona del Mar resident Frances Munoz received many accolades. Maria Elena Avila of the Avila’s restaurant family was also front and center, supporting Drake and UCI.

Respected UC Berkeley mathematician Julius Zelmonowitz and his wife, Joan, came down for the inaugural. Also in the crowd were Linda and Dick Ackerman, Melva and Steve Arditti, Sheldon Greenfield, and Joanne and Larry Overman. U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, Meredith Khachigian, Mervyn Dymally, UCI Chancellor Emeritus Jack Peltason and Jean Aldrich, who was joined by son Dan Aldrich and daughter Liz Toomey.

Michael Drake’s tenure at UCI will most assuredly be marked by his deep human connection and personal touch. While many, if not most, being introduced at a formal dinner might choose to dwell on professional achievement, Drake chose to tell his friends, his children, his wife and his mother-in-law, Eunice Jackson, who had flown in for the dinner and inauguration, just how important they were in his life.

UCI will have quite a ride under Michael V. Drake.