University of California President James B. Milliken has awarded the UC Presidential Medal to Joan and Sanford I. Weill, recognizing their extensive service and support for the university in both the arts and sciences.
The medal, which is the highest honor given by the university, was presented during the 2025 Future of the Brain Summit at UC San Francisco on October 29. The event coincided with the tenth anniversary of the UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences.
President Milliken was joined by chancellors and senior leaders from UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and UC San Francisco, as well as former UC President Michael V. Drake, M.D., and his wife Brenda Drake.
“Joan and Sandy’s enormously thoughtful and generous spirit is laser-focused, practical, passionate and future-focused,” said Milliken. “They embody and inspire the ethos of public service that makes the University of California what it is. There are no two people more deserving of the University of California’s deepest appreciation than Sandy and Joan Weill.”
Leaders from across the University of California system attended to recognize Joan and Sandy Weill’s significant contributions. The couple has donated over $1 billion to educational and cultural institutions over seven decades, including major gifts to UC Berkeley, UC Davis, and UC San Francisco.
Their involvement with UC includes leadership roles on several advisory boards such as those at UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UCSF Foundation Board of Directors, and UCSF Health Executive Council. Their philanthropy has been crucial in advancing scientific research throughout the university.
The UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences was established through a $185 million gift from the Weills. This institute brings together researchers and physicians to address complex challenges related to brain health. It is led by Stephen Hauser, M.D., whose work in multiple sclerosis treatment earned him a Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences in 2025. The institute supports high-risk research initiatives as well as young faculty members and graduate students.
Additionally, a recent $100 million matching grant from the Weill Family Foundation helped launch the Weill Cancer Hub West—a partnership between UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Stanford Cancer Institute—aimed at accelerating cancer research collaborations.
UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood stated: “Joan and Sandy Weill’s partnership, extraordinary in scale and enduring in purpose, has helped us reimagine what’s possible. Their friendship has sustained our pursuit of a better future, and their commitment has turned dreams into real and tangible breakthroughs.”
The couple also supported creation of multi-institutional research centers like the Weill Neurohub—founded with a $106 million gift—which brings together scientists from UC Berkeley, UCSF, University of Washington, and Allen Institute to develop treatments for neurological diseases.
At UC Berkeley they have contributed significantly to arts programming such as Cal Performances while advocating for student career readiness programs.
“Sandy and Joan have been outstanding partners for many years,” said UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons. “Their leadership of and support for the Weill Neurohub, their tireless advocacy for career readiness among less-advantaged students, and their enthusiasm for sustaining the excellence of and access to offerings of Cal Performances are vitally important to our university. We have the highest respect for the Weill family’s commitment at Berkeley and throughout the UC system to better futures for all. They empower us to create and share world-improving knowledge, and at remarkable scale. UC Berkeley would not be the same epicenter of innovation, and icon of public higher education, that it is without the Weills’ support and partnership.”
The couple’s philanthropy extends into veterinary medicine at UC Davis where they have funded clinical trials—including one involving immunotherapy treatments for metastatic oral melanoma in dogs—and created an endowment supporting translational medicine research.
UC Davis Chancellor Gary S. May commented: “Joan and Sandy’s deeply held commitment to improving the health of all living beings leads them to champion not only human medicine but animal medicine as well, and advances the interconnectedness of the two fields,” he said. “They are very deserving of the highest honor at the University of California where their vision helps us create a healthier world for all every day.”
Sanford I. Weill previously served as president at American Express; chair/CEO at Citigroup; founder/chair emeritus at National Academy Foundation; president at Carnegie Hall; chair emeritus at Weill Cornell Medicine; honorary chair at Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose; member American Academy of Arts & Sciences.
Joan Weill served as chair emerita with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (with its theater named after her), co-chaired women’s health programs at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center; was president emeritus/board member Citymeals On Wheels among other roles.
Together they have received numerous awards including Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy (2009), Kennedy Center Award for Human Spirit (2017), Forbes 400 Lifetime Achievement Award for Philanthropy (2022).
