University of California President Michael V. Drake, M.D., awarded the UC Presidential Medal to Irwin Jacobs and his late wife Joan, in recognition of the couple’s transformative impact on the university and beyond.
The medal represents UC’s highest honor. President Drake presented the two medals to Irwin Jacobs on March 15, 2025, as part of UC San Diego’s Chancellor’s Medal Awards.
“I am honored to be here today among so many wonderful friends and colleagues to present the University of California Presidential Medal to Irwin Jacobs and his late wife, Joan,” said President Drake. “The two of them have made a profound impact in the world, and nowhere is that impact more apparent than at the University of California.”
The Jacobs’ legacy of philanthropy and leadership has left an indelible mark on the UC system, with positive impact that spans around the globe.
Irwin Jacobs was a founding professor of UC San Diego, serving on the faculty from 1966 to 1972. He went on to co-found Linkabit and later Qualcomm, where he served as founding chairman and CEO. Qualcomm pioneered the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) wireless technology, for a time the world's fastest-growing, most-advanced voice and data wireless communications technology.
Over the past 50 years, the Jacobs have supported UC San Diego with more than $460 million in gifts across diverse disciplines — ranging from engineering to health care to the arts, and more. At UC San Diego, their support can be felt throughout campus, including the Irwin and Joan Jacobs School of Engineering and the 245-bed Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health, which bear the couple’s name in honor of their generosity.
They also provided support to the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) to establish two endowed chairs with the goal of furthering research into head and neck cancer.
“Their leadership has been unmatched, and their generosity transformative,” said President Drake. “Their vision has always been rooted in humility and grace, and a grounded sort of inquiry: ‘what’s next,’ and ‘what more can I do to help?’”
President Drake then reflected on the wisdom imparted by one of his mentors, who once told him, “The difference between an A and A+ is huge.” He drew a direct parallel to the Jacobs’ philanthropy, crediting them with pushing the University of California toward an A+ level of excellence, all in service to the greater good.
Joan Jacobs, who passed away in 2024, was honored in memoriam for her deep commitment to helping others with philanthropy. Whether it was in education, the arts or health care, she embraced every opportunity to serve and support those in need and ultimately, to make the world a better place. Irwin Jacobs accepted a medal on Joan’s behalf.
“Joan understood how philanthropy inspires and lifts up people around the world. She embraced every opportunity to help others, and to serve the greater good. And we are all, forever, the better for it,” President Drake said.
The UC Presidential Medal was established in 1997 by then-UC president Richard C. Atkinson to recognize extraordinary contributions to the University of California or the community of learning.
Learn more about the contributions of the Jacobs to the University of California below:
