A hall that will be home to UC San Diego’s Department of Economics will be named for La Jolla resident and businessman Brian C. Malk after his pledge of support.
Slated for completion in 2026 as part of UCSD’s Ridge Walk North Living and Learning Neighborhood, Brian C. Malk Hall will be located in the interior of campus, just west of Geisel Library.
“We are grateful to Brian and Nancy Malk for their generous support of UC San Diego,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “This gift will propel our nationally ranked Department of Economics to continue its growing education and research missions focused on making a positive impact for people around the globe.”
The Department of Economics is a part of the UC San Diego School of Social Sciences. Economics is the third most popular major at UC San Diego. The department, where faculty have received two Nobel Prize, has long been regarded for its strength in econometrics, a focus that provides the computational and theoretical basis for economics theory.
“Malk Hall will provide a collaborative space for our faculty, students and our many partners as we strive to foster the thought leaders and changemakers of tomorrow,” said Carol Padden, dean of the School of Social Sciences.
Having immigrated to La Jolla from South Africa with his family in the late 1970’s, Malk went on to build a successful business in commercial real estate.
His strong connection with the UC San Diego campus was forged over many decades living nearby. In particular, during the last several years, he began enjoying long walks on campus accompanied by his dog, Wally.
“The UC San Diego campus had become a second home for me – a place where I could sit quietly if I wanted, cheer the soccer teams in the late afternoon, or talk with students when they came over to pet Wally,” Malk said. “It was then that I realized I wanted to become involved and to contribute to this wonderful university, which had become an integral part of my daily life.”
Malk Hall also will include the Hub Basic Needs Center and the Triton Food Pantry, to provide UCSD students with access to nutritious food, stable housing and financial resources.
“Malk Hall will be a magnet for students, faculty and thinkers from across campus and from around the world,” said Marc Muendler, chair of the Department of Economics. “The Malk family’s donation allows us to chart a new course in Economics as our department turns 60, and we are deeply grateful.”
He added that Malk and his family “hold a special place as our department’s friends.”