A Spectrum of Support

You can almost sense the synapses firing across campus after James L. Easton’s ’59 recent $36 million gift to UCLA. Building on the Eastons’ history of philanthropic support for the university, a large portion of this contribution is taking to a new level UCLA’s interdisciplinary research and innovation in brain health.

The generous new commitment will help UCLA continue to build an influential nexus of cross-campus research into neurodegeneration and brain injury. Twenty-two million dollars for David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA will bolster the efforts of experts in the department of neurology working to prevent, predict, and treat neurodegeneration and in the department of neurosurgery conducting concussion and TBI research. Five million dollars for UCLA Samueli School of Engineering will be used to develop innovative protective materials to monitor and protect the brain.

Broad Benevolence

Prior Easton gifts have gone to establish the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research and the Easton Center for Advanced Materials and to support Operation Mend, among other areas. The Easton continuum of giving and the work it advances will improve and save the lives of millions of veterans, athletes, the aging, and more.

Of the new contribution, $7 million will support the Easton Technology Management Center in UCLA Anderson School of Management. And just to make sure all bases are covered, $2 million will support capital improvements for the Easton Softball Stadium.

Easton, who graduated from UCLA’s School of Engineering, served as chair and CEO of Jas D. Easton, Inc. His continued generosity will help the university in myriad ways, including making UCLA a powerhouse in the essential and timely area of brain health.

To learn more, contact

Lindsey Williams • 310-825-3813

Published September 2015

Donor James L. Easton ’59

A UCLA softball player goes to bat. Part of Easton’s gift will support improvements for the Easton Softball Stadium.