Deafening dedication

If Forbes magazine is to be believed, Donald Bren — entrepreneur, chairman of the Irvine Co. and namesake of UCI’s upcoming law school — is Orange County’s wealthiest man.

He’s keen, though, on spreading that wealth.

The magazine ranked Bren as America’s 23rd-richest citizen in its annual Forbes 400 issue this year, pinpointing his net worth at $13 billion. Around Newport-Mesa, however, Bren is as famous for his philanthropy as he is for his deep pockets.

The Newport Beach resident has diverted more than $200 million to public schools on the Irvine Ranch, and he’s renowned as one of the most dedicated land conservationists in California.

This year, Bren left another pair of legacies in town — both at one of his favorite stomping grounds, UCI. In June, the campus opened its new six-story information and computer science building, named Donald Bren Hall in tribute to the Irvine Co. chairman’s longtime support.

Bren gifted the campus again two months later, donating $20 million to its upcoming law school — which was promptly renamed the Donald Bren School of Law.

A notoriously private man, Bren rarely grants interviews and often prefers to let his actions speak for him. Still, residents got a glimpse of him in June when he appeared at the dedication of Donald Bren Hall. Bren, sporting an Anteaters cap, declared his love for the UCI baseball program.

He told the crowd that, busy magnate though he is, he had stayed up late the night before watching UCI beat Arizona State University in the playoffs. He even joked that cheering during the game had made his voice hoarse like Marlon Brando’s in “The Godfather.”

Later, he reminisced about his many years spent watching buildings — and entire communities — start from nothing.

“As most of you know, at my core, I’’m a community builder,” he said. “It’s been my lifelong passion.”

DONALD BREN

Age: 75

Occupation: The Irvine Co. chairman

Residence: Newport Beach