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Students in a chemistry lab.

A University of California Family

The Crowe Family Scholarship helps undergraduates become researchers

When Steve and Linda Crowe dropped off their son at UC Santa Barbara, they worried as he disappeared into a sea of students. They were relieved and gratified to learn that their son, Christopher “Chris” Crowe ’10, soon found mentors who nurtured him and connected him with opportunities. Chris excelled. With research experience and two publications, he went on to medical school at Stanford University and residency at the University of Washington. Steve and Linda established the Crowe Family Scholarship in honor of his time on campus.

“UC Santa Barbara became the University of Chris because the professors personalized his experience,” said Linda. “You can’t imagine how grateful a mother is when you hear that someone is helping your child.”

The Crowe Family Scholarship focuses on undergraduate research in the life sciences because of the experience Chris had at UC Santa Barbara. In addition to coursework counseling, his advisor introduced him to Dr. Bruce Lipshutz, whose lab he would research in for two years.

“Everyone in Bruce’s lab was postdocs and graduate students in organic chemistry, and here was Chris, an undergrad in pharmacology,” Steve said. “But Bruce had him learn lab protocol that summer.”

Two years pushing his limits in the Lipshutz lab made a big impact: Chris has since published 30 papers. At his current home in Seattle, surrounded by photos of his college friends at the beach, Chris displays a picture of himself with his mentor, Bruce.

“Because the Crowes recognized that the impactful research projects Chris took part in might not be possible for other students, we are able to support a diverse group of talented undergraduates as they deepen their scientific knowledge and gain valuable research experience,” said Pierre Wiltzius, executive dean of the College of Letters and Science and Susan & Bruce Worster Dean of Science.

Ten years after Chris graduated from UC Santa Barbara, microbiology student Lindsey Adams ’20 immersed herself in lab research through the Crowe Family Scholarship. Thanks to her experience, Lindsey knows she wants to pursue graduate school to find non-infectious disease therapies and cures by hijacking other organisms like viruses and bacteria. This summer, in addition to her research, Lindsey mentored five new students in the lab.

Lindsey Adams ’20
Lindsey Adams ’20

“The Crowe Scholarship did more than allow me to explore for a summer — it gives me the competitive edge I need to further my education,” said Lindsey. “Mentoring others made me think critically about the work. In doing so, I have thought of ways to improve experiments to propose to my postdoc. I am so thankful for this scholarship!”

Steve and Linda also established the Crowe Family Endowment for Undergraduate Excellence at UC Santa Cruz, the alma mater of their son Jeremy, now a Seattle software engineer.

“As parents of sons who benefited from the UC system’s quality education, Linda and I feel supporting our sons’ alma maters is a meaningful way to acknowledge their studies and strong performance, as well as the superb education they experienced,” said Steve.

The Crowes are irrepressible leaders in both communities, known for their warmth and energy. For over a decade, they have hosted annual dinners so fellow Bay Area parents can get to know the university. Steve served as trustee on the UC Santa Barbara Foundation (2010-2019) and the UC Santa Cruz Foundation (2013-2019).

Steve and Linda continue to serve as pillars of UC Santa Barbara’s Bay Area community. Together, they envision a future in which their sons carry forth their philanthropy.

“Down the road, when both Chris and Jeremy are well into their careers, we hope these scholarships that we have at UC Santa Barbara and UC Santa Cruz will be funded by our sons,” said Steve, envisioning a legacy of support that stretches far into the future.