SACRAMENTO — Milling around the room before the big announcement on Thursday, it was obvious that Ernest E. Tschannen was among friends.

In fact, Julie Freischlag, dean of the UC Davis School of Medicine and vice chancellor for human health sciences, gave Tschannen a big hug when she arrived, and the two chatted familiarly.

Tschannen has pledged to donate $38.5 million to UCD Health System to support the UCD Eye Center and the Center for Vision Sciences. The unassuming philanthropist is the largest individual donor in the university’s 108-year history, a news release said.

Chancellor Linda Katehi praised Tschannen and the gift, saying, “I would like to thank Ernest for his amazing vision.” She expects that his contributions will be used to help solve “the greatest challenges in vision science.”

Tschannen, a grateful patient of the UCD Health System, contributed an outright gift of $18.5 million as part of his overall gift to name the UCD Eye Center, which serves more than 55,000 patients each year with advanced specialty care. Katehi said the $18.5 million will begin the process of building a new eye center.

Freischlag said about Tschannen, “The more I get to know him, the more I am inspired.” She also said Tschannen hopes his donation will inspire others to give.

“My other chairs are dreaming of things they could do,” Freischlag said with a laugh.

“Thank you, again and again, for your record-breaking kindness,” she said.

Grateful patient

For Tschannen, this gift is personal.

The humble patient told the crowd that he is grateful to all of his doctors at UCD, especially Dr. Michele Lim. He hopes that his gift makes it so that “patients don’t have to go to all different locations (for treatment),” and that “others will join us to make it more efficient and successful.”

Tschannen’s journey with UCD’s Eye Center started in 2000, a news release explained.

“Tschannen noticed his eyesight was failing. As someone who walks 6 miles every day and cherishes his time outdoors, losing his sight to glaucoma was a frightening prospect.”

Tschannen was referred to the Eye Center, where he underwent surgery by Lim to improve his vision and manage his glaucoma.

His experience at the eye center inspired Tschannen to give to UCD; he began with a $25 gift, but later donated $1.5 million to “advance research on the optic nerve and to help find a cure for glaucoma and other eye diseases,” the news release said.

Dr. Mark Mannis, chair of ophthalmology and vision science and director of the eye center, explained that the optic nerve is like “a coaxial cable that connects the eye to the brain.”

Mannis went on to praise the man whom he calls a friend, saying, “His generosity will fuel innovative, collaborative vision research, and allow us to provide state-of-the-art, world-class eye care and training.”

Besides being feted by UCD, Tschannen also was honored by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson on Feb. 16, Tschannen’s 91st birthday. Recognizing his major philanthropic gifts to city and community entities, the day was declared Ernest E. Tschannen Day.

Humble beginnings

Born in the small town of Aarwangen, Switzerland, Tschannen immigrated to Canada in the 1950s, before settling in the Midwest to pursue a career as an engineer.

He started buying investment properties as a hobby, the news release said, and “eventually quit his job to manage his properties full time. He is now a real estate investor and currently owns 28 apartment complexes throughout the U.S.”

“I have realized great success in the United States, and so my primary goal in life now is to give back to the country that gave so much to me,” Tschannen said. “I like to help whenever I can. I’m so glad I am able to do it.”

— UC Davis Health System contributed to this story. Reach Tanya Perez at [email protected] or 530-747-8082.