About the UC Davis Medal 
The UC Davis Medal is the highest honor the University presents to individuals in recognition of extraordinary contributions that embody the campus’s Vision of Excellence. Medalists inspire and support the success and engagement of our students, faculty, staff and alumni, and foster a bold and innovative spirit in teaching, research and public service.
History and Description
The UC Davis Medal recognizes individuals of rare accomplishment, “to be heralded today and in perpetuity,” as extraordinarily special members of the UC Davis community.
The design of the UC Davis Medal represents, both figuratively and literally, the legacy of contributions UC Davis has made to the world in research and scholarly endeavors.
Depicted on the medal are the campus name and its motto, “Let There Be Light.” In the upper left quadrant are the life-giving rays of the sun. Below them, leaves of the bay laurel symbolize our proud history of achievement. Lines in the lower right quadrant may be seen as energy radiating from a source, roads leading to the future, or rows of crops in fertile California fields.
The spare, relatively unadorned design, which employs an official campus typeface, Futura, is timeless and distinctive. Jan Conroy, Class of 1977, designed the medal during his long career in university graphics, publications and communications. Jan retired in 2012.
Medal Protocol (PDF)
Honorees
2025
Michael C. and Renée Z. Child
Mike and Renée Child, Aggie undergraduate alums (Class of 1976) and namesakes of the Child Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Graduate School of Management, are the 29th recipients of the UC Davis Medal. Over the years their volunteerism and philanthropy have touched many areas of scholarship and community life at Davis, from programs in engineering, neuroscience and psychology, nursing, business, athletics, and others. Mike received a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering (and an MBA from Stanford in 1980), and Renée received a bachelor of arts degree in psychology and German. Mike is a member of the Chancellor’s Board of Advisors, a member of the UC Davis Athletics Advisory Board, and a former member and chair of the UC Davis Foundation Board. Previously, he served on the College of Engineering Dean’s Executive Committee and Graduate School of Management Dean’s Advisory Council. In recognition of their decades of service, the Childs received the Charles J. Soderquist Award and were named Chancellor’s Laureates. Mike is also a recipient of the Alumni Association service award. Professionally, he has nearly 40 years of experience in production engineering, strategic planning, and private equity management, with ROLM Corporation, Boston Consulting Group, Hewlitt-Packard, and TA Associates, Inc. Renée is a former special education teacher who served for several years and brought much personal and professional insight to the College of Letters and Science’s Deans’ Advisory Council. The Childs have five children, two of whom are also Davis alumni. They reside in Atherton, California, where they give back to their community. Mike was instrumental in building the Rich May Memorial Field in honor of a friend’s stepson, an East Palo Alto police officer killed in the line of duty. The field provides a vital space for increased organized youth athletic opportunities in that city.