The Hewlett Foundation has made a landmark $113 million gift that includes a $110 million challenge grant to endow 100 new faculty chairs, as well as funding to enhance the investment of those funds at UC Berkeley. The Hewlett Challenge will match other private donations dollar-for-dollar, resulting in $220 million in new endowment that will be used to reinforce the distinction and quality of Berkeley’s world-class faculty and graduate students. We are grateful to the Hewlett Foundation for this enormous investment in teaching and research in the public domain. This gift is an extraordinary vote of confidence in the contributions that UC Berkeley and all public universities make to society.
— Chancellor Robert J. Birgeneau