Aldrich Park features more than 50 tree species, including lushly blooming jacarandas. Steve Zylius / UCI

The renaming of Bison Avenue in recognition of Chancellor Emeritus Michael V. Drake continues a UCI tradition of honoring former top leaders with eponymous locales. Drake was UCI’s fifth chancellor, helming the university from 2005 to 2014, and Michael Drake Drive joins these notable campus sites.

Aldrich Park

Daniel Aldrich was UCI’s founding chancellor and served from 1962 to 1984. Upon his retirement, the campus’s 19-acre Central Park – which he designed – was soon renamed Aldrich Park in his honor.

East and West Peltason drives

Jack Peltason was UCI chancellor from 1984 to 1992. He and Drake were also both president of the University of California system. In 1997, portions of Berkeley Road and California Avenue became East and West Peltason drives, which ring the academic core of campus.

Laurel L. Wilkening Rose Garden

Laurel Wilkening followed Peltason as chancellor from 1993 to 1998. In spring 2005, then-Chancellor Ralph Cicerone dedicated the Laurel L. Wilkening Rose Garden – in front of the Irvine Barclay Theatre and at the foot of Watson Bridge – in her honor.

Cicerone Field at Anteater Ballpark

While chancellor from 1998 to 2005, Ralph Cicerone played a key role in bringing back UCI’s baseball program, so in 2009, Cicerone Field at Anteater Ballpark was named in recognition of his support for and love of the game.

  1. alt placeholder The Laurel L. Wilkening Rose Garden is adjacent to Aldrich Hall, UCI’s main administration building. Steve Zylius / UCI
  2. alt placeholder Aldrich Park features more than 50 tree species, including lushly blooming jacarandas. Steve Zylius / UCI
  3. alt placeholder Seven footbridges span East and West Peltason drives. Steve Zylius / UCI
  4. alt placeholder Chancellor Emeritus Ralph Cicerone throws the pregame first pitch during the 2009 dedication ceremony for Cicerone Field at Anteater Ballpark. Eveline Shih-Pitcairn