UCSF Honors Former UC President Drake in New Plaza at Mission Bay
Designation recognizes Michael V. Drake for his leadership across the University of California and his home campus of UCSF.
UC San Francisco has honored UC President Emeritus Michael V. Drake, MD, with a public plaza in his name, in recognition of five decades of contributions to both the University of California system and UCSF as a medical doctor, faculty member, and UC leader.
Located along Third Street on the Mission Bay campus, the newly named Michael V. Drake Plaza will serve as a warm and welcoming outdoor space for patients and staff to gather. In a nod to his expertise in ophthalmology, the plaza is situated between the UCSF Health Bayfront Medical Building and the Department of Ophthalmology’s new home in the UCSF Wayne and Gladys Valley Center for Vision.
“Michael Drake was an acclaimed researcher and UCSF faculty member who embodied UCSF's core values and public mission,” said UCSF Chancellor Sam Hawgood, MBBS. “His leadership enabled the UC to reach communities throughout California with new educational opportunities, expanded access to care and public programs, and future leaders who are committed to the state they call home. We’re pleased to be able to recognize his contributions to patients, students, and our university through this namesake plaza, and proud to have him return to the UCSF faculty.”
I have been privileged to be part of a community that champions excellence and opportunity, the pursuit of new knowledge, and public service on behalf of Californians and people everywhere.
Michael V. DrakeUC President Emeritus
Five decades of contributions
Drake was no stranger to UC when the UC Board of Regents appointed him in 2020 as the system’s 21st president, becoming the first person of color in that role in university’s 150-year history. Taking the helm at the peak of the COVID pandemic, Drake led the university through one of its most challenging eras, working to keep the UC community safe while navigating a historic public health crisis. In just five years, he left a legacy of improving education quality, strengthening research excellence, and expanding access to both education and health care to Californians from all backgrounds.
“President Drake devoted much of his career, energy, and extraordinary expertise to the University of California, leaving a lasting impact and an inspiring legacy,” said Janet Reilly, chair of the UC Board of Regents. “It has been an honor to see him lead the University with integrity, compassion, keen intellect, and an unwavering commitment to student success. His focus on the promise of a public university lies in its power to uplift all people, and he has continuously demonstrated that in his decades of service to this great institution.”
Drake began his career with a residency and fellowship as an ophthalmologist at UCSF, followed by 25 years as the Steven P. Shearing Professor of Ophthalmology in the UCSF School of Medicine. He also served as vice chair of the Department of Ophthalmology and senior associate dean for Admissions and Extramural Academic Programs at UCSF.
Drake was the systemwide vice president for health affairs from 2000 to 2005 and served as chancellor at UC Irvine from 2005 until 2014, where he is credited with enhancing UCI’s reputation as a premier university. He was tapped as president of Ohio State University in 2014 and served six years in that role, before returning to California in 2020 to lead the UC’s 10 campuses, six academic health systems, three nationally affiliated labs, close to 300,000 students, and 230,000 faculty and staff.
A legacy serving all Californians
Drake’s leadership at UC was infused by his steadfast commitment to the university’s core values, including expanding access to California students and actively engaging with stakeholders in UC’s diverse community. His five-year tenure at the helm of the nation’s most acclaimed public university system was marked by numerous achievements, including:
- Leading systemwide efforts to admit and enroll its largest classes in history, serving significantly more state residents and expanding educational opportunities for students from communities across California’s population.
- Solidifying UC’s financial stability and affordability by securing historic state investments in the university, including a five-year funding compact with California lawmakers that supported critical investments in educational access and excellence.
- Leading the development of a systemwide Tuition Stability Plan to keep UC tuition predictable and provide new financial aid resources for students and families.
“I began my career with the University of California as a medical student at UC San Francisco,” Drake said. “In every role since then — as a practicing physician, a faculty member, a research scientist, and an administrative leader — I have been privileged to be part of a community that champions excellence and opportunity, the pursuit of new knowledge, and public service on behalf of Californians and people everywhere.”
Drake’s career includes publications in numerous scientific journals and co-authoring six textbooks. He is a member of several national scientific and scholarly societies, including the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Institute of Medicine, and the National Academies of Science, and has been recognized for teaching, public service, mentoring and research.
He stepped down as UC President at the end of the 2024-25 academic year and returned to UCSF to continue his work and research in the Department of Ophthalmology.
