John Meyer
John Meyer, former UC Davis vice chancellor of Administrative and Resource Management, provided the support and vision that helped shape the face of the campus as we know it today, including new academic buildings and other facilities. He is being honored as a “Friend of the College” with a CA&ES Award of Distinction.
A UC Davis graduate and former city manager of Davis, Meyer came to work on campus in 2000. His portfolio of administrative responsibilities shifted and grew over the years and led to his involvement in negotiations to build major capital projects such as the Robert Mondavi Institute complex and the Plant and Environmental Sciences building. Other CA&ES projects completed during his tenure include the Bowley Plant Sciences Center, the Eichhorn Family House, and the Swine Teaching and Research Center. He also played a role in saving the historic Hog Barn — now the Heitman Staff Learning Center — by promoting its relocation rather than its destruction.
Meyer also served as the institutional official for animal programs and was responsible for helping UC Davis retain its accreditation for animal laboratory care. UC Davis is the most complex animal-use institution in the nation because of the diversity and number of animals used, so accreditation is absolutely essential.
Meyer is known as an “honest broker” who made principled decisions and looked for win-win solutions for everyone.
“John respected all people on campus for their unique contributions, and anyone who worked with him felt at ease, and importantly, he deeply cares for UC Davis, its history, and its future. He understood that the prestige of UC Davis lies in the contributions of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.”
—Anita Oberbauer, chair
Department of Animal Science