Schools

Geffen Gives $100 Million Gift to UCLA Medical School

The David Geffen Medical Scholarship Fund will cover the cost of education for students attending the David Geffen School of Medicine.

David Geffen gave $100 million to the UCLA medical school that bears his name to fund scholarships, UCLA announced Thursday.

The David Geffen Medical Scholarship Fund will cover the cost of education for students attending the David Geffen School of Medicine.

In 2002, Geffen gave the medical school $200 million. The entertainment executive and philanthropist's latest gift makes Geffen "the largest individual donor to UCLA and to any single UC campus," according to a university press release.

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The 69-year-old Brooklyn-born billionaire made most of his fortune in the recording industry after working his way up from mail room clerk at the William Morris Agency.

"The cost of a world-class medical education should not deter our future innovators, doctors and scientists from the path they hope to pursue," Geffen said in a statement. "We need the students at this world-class institution to be driven by determination and the desire to do their best work and not by the fear of crushing debt. I hope in doing this that others will be inspired to do the same."

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The $100 million scholarship fund will provide financial support for four years and cover 100 percent of tuition, room and board, books and supplies, and other expenses for up to 33 M.D. students, beginning with the entering class of 2013–14, according to the press release. The scholarships will be awarded based on merit. 

"With this game-changing gift, Mr. Geffen has invested in the medical education and training of some of the world's brightest and most talented young people, influencing medical research and patient care for generations to come," said UCLA Chancellor Gene Block in a statement. "We are inspired by his vision and grateful for his generosity."

—City News Service contributed to this report.

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