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Tuesday
April 10, 2001

Alumni Couple Gives Thousands to UC Davis Scholarship Endowment

DAVIS, Calif. - Like Iranian families around the world, Javad and Shirin Rahimian were busy for weeks with preparations for Norouz 1380, the Iranian New Year's celebration that began March 20. The traditional Norouz gift giving got underway a little early for the Rahimians this year.

In January, the Sacramento County couple donated $100,000 to UC Davis' Iranian Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, an endowed account that assists academically talented Iranian students who demonstrate financial need. This gift represents the largest individual contribution to the Iranian Alumni Association Scholarship Fund since its inception.

Established in 1996 by the Iranian Alumni Association, a chapter of the Cal Aggie Alumni Association (CAAA), the endowment was one of several scholarship funds established through UC Davis' Students First campaign, a campuswide initiative that raised more than $16 million for student financial aid and enrichment programs.

The Students First campaign was also instrumental in helping to increase the Cal Aggie Alumni Association's scholarship fund, which provides more than $100,000 in financial assistance to UC Davis undergraduates each year.

"Mrs. and Mr. Rahimian have demonstrated one of the most vital functions of alumni-to give back and help current students," said CAAA Executive Director Robert Kerr. "Their gift is the ultimate display of appreciation for what UC Davis has helped them achieve."

Javad Rahimian is chairman, CEO and co-founder of Motion Control Engineering, Inc., a firm specializing in research and development of elevator control products. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from UC Davis in 1972, he received a Master of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from the University of Florida in 1975. Shirin Rahimian earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from UC Davis in 1983.

"We are thrilled about the commitment Shirin and Javad have made to the university and to helping students succeed," said Reza Mahdavi, president of the Iranian Alumni Association. "UC Davis serves the best and brightest students in the nation, but many feel hindered because of financial need. Through the Rahimians' gift to the Iranian Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, more students can reach their full potential."

In appreciation for their gift, the scholarships funded by the couple's donation will bear their name. The first Shirin and Javad Rahimian Scholarship will be awarded in fall 2001.

Media contacts:
-- Nefretiri Cooley, Cal Aggie Alumni Association, (530) 752-6545, nscooley@ucdavis.edu
-- Robert A. Kerr, Cal Aggie Alumni Association, (530) 754-9913, rakerr@ucdavis.edu

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