This page contains the material submitted to the local paper - The Davis Enterprise - for Explorit Science Center's news column published in that paper on Fridays.

Upon walking through the front door of Explorit Science Center, one can hardly help but notice the ceramic tiles adorning the walls of the foyer. Soon, observant visitors will notice an increase in the number of tiles.

What are these tiles and what is their significance? “Without the people and businesses represented on these tiles, Explorit wouldn’t be able to do the quality programming we do,” noted executive director Suzanne Ullensvang.

Each eight inch square ceramic tile represents an individual, a family, a business or a foundation that has helped Explorit achieve its mission by donating $10,000 or more. “They can represent one time donations or cumulative gifts over time,” Ullensvang added.

At a special event tonight, Explorit is recognizing all the tile recipients that have supported the science center over the last 20 years. The donor recognition event, which is to be held at the Sierra Health Foundation galleria in Sacramento, features dinner, live music, a tile dedication ceremony, and of course, hands-on science.

Emceeing tonight’s event will be Yolo County Supervisor Lois Wolk. Assemblymember Helen Thomson will be the featured speaker.

The evening will culminate with the dedication of the personalized ceramic tiles for donors who have recently contributed gifts totaling $10,000 or more. These new tiles are to be added to the tiles already on permanent display at Explorit.

“It’s important to take a moment from our busy schedule to stop and personally thank our supporters,” Ullensvang said.

Special recognitions during the evening will include a lifetime Explorit membership awarded to Assemblymember Helen Thomson in appreciation for her on-going support and involvement in securing a $200,000 grant from the State of California for facility improvements.

Next time you visit Explorit, take a moment to appreciate the beautiful donor tiles in the foyer, recognizing the many ways that donors “make a difference” through their support of science discovery in the region.

Donors:

Donors and grantors, who over the last twenty years or so, have each contributed an accumulated $100,000 or more are the State of California, the Institute of Museum and Library Services, Mace Ranch Investors, and the City of Davis.

Donors who have contributed $50,000 or more are Intel Corporation/Foundation, Novo Nordisk Entotech, and a gift in memory of Arley Firch.

At the $25,000 or more contribution level are the following: Bank of America Foundation, Steve Bick and Jill Slater, S.H. Cowell Foundation, Anne & Jim Hance, Jonsson Family Foundation, J.M. Long Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, Novozymes Biotech, Rex Foundation, Safeway Food and Drug, and Sierra Health Foundation.

Contributing $10,000 or more are Lars Anderson, John Brinley, Campbell Soup Company, Chevron USA, Dinner at the Dump, Thornton S. Glide and Katrina S. Glide Foundation, Tom & Barbara Frankel, Harrison Construction, William Randolph Hearst Foundation, Jones and Stokes, T.J. Long Foundation, Sharon and Brit McLin, Monsanto and its subsidiary Calgene, PG&E, PG&E Properties, Ramco Enterprises, Sacramento River Watershed Program, Ethel Sassenrath, Soroptimist International of Davis, Stewart Foundation, Teichert Foundation, Unocal Agricultural Products-West Sacramento, T.B. Walker Foundation, Carol Wall, Wells Fargo Foundation.