Wolf Dietrich-Heyer, a Distinguished Professor and chair in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics was among three members of the UC Davis community recognized for their remarkable efforts to steward donors and raise the culture of philanthropy across the university. 

The Office of Development and Alumni Relations and the UC Davis Foundation presented the 2024 Faculty and Staff Stewardship Awards during a ceremony on Oct. 19. The recipients are:

• Staff Award — Sheri Atkinson, associate vice chancellor for student life, campus community and retention services 
• Faculty Award — Wolf-Dietrich Heyer, distinguished professor and chair, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics 
• Lifetime Achievement Award — Kathleen Socolofsky, director of the Arboretum and Public Garden and assistant vice chancellor in the Office of Administration and Resource Management

“The faculty and staff honored this year share an exceptional vision for the future of philanthropy at UC Davis. They have gone above and beyond in their efforts to leave a lasting impact on our campus and in our community,” said Shaun B. Keister, vice chancellor for Development and Alumni Relations and president of the UC Davis Foundation. 

Faculty Award

Wolf-Dietrich Heyer has “raised the bar” for how to engage UC Davis supporters and build lifelong relationships with donors.

For over 25 years, Heyer has served as a leading faculty member and biologist in the field of DNA repair, and during that time he has built a culture of philanthropy and set a precedent for excellence across the College of Biological Sciences.

In 2018, Heyer established a fundraising committee in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics to drive support for students, faculty and programs in biological sciences. Every year the committee identifies fundraising initiatives for Give Day, and Heyer makes a personal gift to kickstart the fundraising and launch a Give Day Challenge. 

His willingness to elevate philanthropy at UC Davis knows no geographic bounds, even continuing his efforts while overseas on sabbatical in Japan. He also worked with the Cal Aggie Alumni Association to invite alumni to his seminars in Tokyo and Osaka, providing a vital opportunity for engagement and stewardship. 

Expressing gratitude is important to Heyer, who is known for his handwritten thank-you notes to make sure donors know how impactful their gifts are. His thoughtful stewardship efforts have resulted in the establishment of many new endowments and millions of dollars in private support.