Setting the standard

Derek Smith ‘07 didn’t need decades to become an active UC Davis alumnus. Just two years after graduation and despite living 3,000 miles away at the time, Smith made a $1,000 contribution to the UC Davis Annual Fund, making him one of the youngest member of the Davis Chancellor’s Club giving society. He has made $1,000 contributions each year since, setting the standard for what it means to be a devoted Aggie.

“Where I am today and a lot of what I’ve accomplished is because I went to UC Davis,” Smith said.

Smith pursued political science at UC Davis and then received his Master’s degree in public policy and administration from American University in Washington, D.C. Along the way, he never forgot his Aggie Pride – and how much he wanted to pay it forward.

 “It makes me feel good that I can give to the next generation of UC Davis students.”