UCLA Alum Donates Another $5.5M To Study Of Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity Law
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Philanthropist Charles R. "Chuck" Williams' gift of $5.5 million to the UCLA School of Law will be earmarked for the Williams Institute for the study of sexual orientation and gender identity law, the university announced.
"We are honored by the ongoing philanthropic investment of Chuck Williams," said Rachel F. Moran, dean of the law school. "With this generous gift, he continues to play a transformative role in helping the Williams Institute expand knowledge at the intersection of sexual orientation and gender identity law and policy."
The Williams Institute was founded in 2001 with an inaugural $2.5 million gift from Williams, believed to be the largest donation given to an academic institution in support of any gay and lesbian academic program at that time. To date, Williams has committed more than $15 million to help establish the institute.
"Chuck Williams recognized a critical need for high-quality academic research focused on issues affecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people," said Brad Sears, assistant dean at the law school and executive director of the Williams Institute.
A UCLA alumnus, Williams is a former senior executive at Sperry Corp. and now presides over the consulting firm Williams and Associates. He is currently a board member of the UCLA Foundation and the UCLA School of Law board of advisors, as well as a member of the Gill Foundation's OutGiving advisory committee.
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