When she arrived to tour the newly opened winery and brewery at the Robert Mondavi Institute in 2011, Mary Horton didn’t realize she was gatecrashing. The LEED-platinum-certified facility was the first of its kind, and she was looking forward to seeing the state-of-the-art building. Even though there was a mix-up, she was still welcomed in and picked up an RMI Friends brochure on her way out. “Well, it seemed like, okay, I gatecrashed; I could certainly make a donation because they were so nice about it,” said Mary. She has supported the Robert Mondavi Institute ever since!

At 16, Mary left her hometown of Oakland, California, to attend college at UC Davis. She loved horses and was encouraged to pursue a veterinary degree. It was a small campus with approximately 1,500 students. She lived in South Hall, right on the Quad as a freshman. Admittedly, she was very naive at 16 and was grateful for older students taking her under their wing. By her 3rd undergraduate year, she decided not to pursue vet school, changed her academic focus to animal husbandry, and graduated in 1963.

Mary wanted to stay in Davis after graduation, and the department chair said that Harold Cole was looking for a student to help with his research. She was hired and assisted in some of Cole’s groundbreaking work. Mary also earned her Master’s in animal husbandry while working on campus. She worked on research projects with horses, pigs, goats, and cows until she retired in October 2002.

“When most people retire, they say, I’m going to take a year off and think about what I want to do,” said Mary, “well, I knew I wanted to have something to do.” She has avidly supported the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts since its inaugural 2002 season. She volunteers at the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden, helping to propagate plants. She also participates in almost all wine sensory evaluations in the Sensory Building at the Robert Mondavi Institute and has been an avid swimmer for nearly five decades. The common factor in all her activities is being around nice people while doing things she enjoys.

In 2016, Mary Horton was honored by the UC Davis Cal Aggie Alumni Association for her philanthropy. Her passion for giving started when she was asked to be on the alumni scholarship committee, interviewing and awarding students. “You interview these high school students; they know so much more about the world than I did in my 50s!” Mary received an inheritance that allowed her to set up scholarships at UC Berkeley in honor of her grandparents, who both graduated there.

Afterward, she turned to her alma mater and set up a scholarship for students focusing on biological or agricultural sciences at UC Davis. Over the years, she has met many students who received the award, making it very personal for her. From acapella concerts to lunches and catching up years after their graduation, Mary has kept in touch with some students, and they have become part of her extended family.

Mary has certainly become part of the RMI family over the years. She attends almost every event hosted by the Robert Mondavi Institute. She observes, “one of the reasons one becomes a philanthropist is because you are appreciated.” From her first Friends dinner over a decade ago to the most recent student product development presentations, she enjoys learning more about the departments and centers at the RMI to understand what she is supporting. When asked about her favorite event, there was no hesitation, “lemon olive oil ice cream!” made by the UC Davis Dining Services at a Sips and Bites event last summer.

We very much appreciate Mary Horton’s ongoing support of the Robert Mondavi Institute and for being one of the longest-standing members of the RMI Friends program.

To learn how to become a Friend of the Robert Mondavi Institute, visit our webpage.