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UC Davis Magazine

Volume 29 · Number 4 · Summer 2012

The Campaign for UC Davis: Extensive Aggie Pride

Portrait photo

Jacque and Wayne Bartholomew

(Karin Higgins/UC Davis)

Broad support for a well-rounded education — that is the philosophy that has inspired Wayne '64, J.D. '71, and Jacque '64 Bartholomew's philanthropic relationship with UC Davis for nearly 45 years.

The two, who met and married as UC Davis students, have donated to more than 50 different initiatives, programs, departments and colleges throughout the campus over the years. They have supported everything from the arts and athletics to cancer research and viticulture.

"UC Davis is our community, our extended family," said Jacque, who had a 41-year career with Wells Fargo Bank before retiring in 2006. "We have personally experienced the benefits [of all] the university is doing to improve the lives and capabilities of the students. We have a great deal of Aggie Pride and are proud to be supporters of the university in any way we can."

The Bartholomews have served on nearly 20 UC Davis volunteer committees and are involved in 13 giving societies on campus including Chancellor's Laureates — a group of leading donors who have given $1 million or more to university programs. Wayne is currently a member of the Athletic Director's Leadership Council, the Food Science Leadership Board, the Mondavi Advisory Board and the International Programs Executive Development Council. Jacque was the first woman president of the Cal Aggie Alumni Association and the UC Davis Chancellor's Club and chaired the UC Davis Library Associates. The couple also frequents Aggie athletic events and performances at the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts, often inviting UC Davis students along as their guest.

In recognition of their exceptional service to the university, the Bartholomews have received the Jerry Fielder Memorial Award for alumni service to the university — Jacque in 1990 and Wayne in 1996 — and the Charles J. Soderquist Award for volunteer and philanthropic leadership.

About charitable remainder trusts

A charitable remainder trust is an irrevocable trust that has three primary characteristics:

  • The trust distributes a fixed percentage of the annual value of its assets on a regular basis to a non-charitable beneficiary;
  • After the donor's lifetime, the balance of the charitable remainder trust is distributed to a charitable organization of the donor's choice;
  • Donors may also be eligible for a charitable income tax deduction.

For more information, contact Brian Casey, executive director of planned giving, at 530-754-4105, bscasey@ucdavis.edu.

"The Bartholomews have gone so far above and beyond with their gifts and friendship to the university," said Bob Kerr, assistant vice provost of University Outreach and International Programs. "Not only do they give to their passions, but when the chancellor expresses a pressing need for the university, they are among the first to give."

Most recently, the couple designated a portion of their estate through a charitable remainder trust to support a number of UC Davis programs: intercollegiate athletics, including women's and men's basketball; the College of Letters and Science, including the UC Davis Music Recital Hall; CAAA for student scholarships; and University Outreach and International Programs. Many of these gifts are for future unrestricted program support.

Wayne, a business consultant and investor, said they keep their contributions as flexible as possible to maximize their benefits in the future. "UC Davis is absolutely essential to our region and state. Planned giving can be a very effective strategy to leverage philanthropic support and, hopefully, to inspire others to give as well."

Sarah Colwell is a senior writer for The Campaign for UC Davis.

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