Environmental Excellence
Howard ’82 and Lisa ’82 Wenger endow a chair in environmental sustainability
UC Santa Barbara’s Environmental Studies Program is a top major and one of the first of its kind in the world. Both environmental studies majors, UC Santa Barbara Trustee Howard Wenger ’82 met his wife, Lisa ’82, on a bench outside Buchanan Hall before an environmental pollution class. The Wengers have been lifelong advocates for a clean, all-electric future. They have established the Wenger Family Chair in Environmental Sustainability to support the research of a leading faculty member.
Lisa learned about the high impact of endowed chairs while serving on the Division of Sciences Dean’s Cabinet with Pierre Wiltzius, Susan and Bruce Worster Dean of Science and professor of physics.
“Through those conversations with the dean, I realized that endowed chairs were a big part of recruitment and retention. Howard and I wanted to help Environmental Studies in the best way we possibly could. Over time, we came to the strong conclusion that this meant endowing a chair,” said Lisa.
“I deeply appreciate Lisa and Howard’s service to the Division of Sciences over the years. Their support has empowered the development of environmental science leaders. Now, the Wenger Family Chair in Environmental Sustainability will honor an outstanding scholar in the field. Endowed chairs help recruit and retain exceptional faculty members and are crucial in sustaining UC Santa Barbara’s excellence in teaching and research,” said Wiltzius, who retired in September after nearly 16 years of service as dean.
During their formative undergraduate years, the Wengers’ commitment to protecting the environment deepened, guided by the mentorship of faculty members such as the late Professor Mel Manalis, who served as Howard's advisor. The Wengers’ philanthropic relationship with UC Santa Barbara began with support of Professor Manalis’s work and continued over many years.
A research physicist and teaching professor in the Environmental Studies Program from 1975 until his retirement in 2017, Dr. Manalis pioneered the study of wind as a viable energy source in California. During his time at UC Santa Barbara, over 6,000 students benefited from both his expertise as a scientist and his dedication as an instructor. "I took Professor Manalis’s solar energy class in 1979. This is my 40th year working in solar energy, so his class made a big impact on me,” said Howard, who has worked in the solar and utility power field as an entrepreneur, engineer, policymaker, executive and board member of leading solar power companies.
Two decades after graduating from UC Santa Barbara, Howard reconnected with Professor Manalis, who invited him to give a lecture to that same solar energy class. Howard returned to give many more guest lectures. In 2020, when the Environmental Studies Program celebrated its 50th anniversary, the Wengers honored Professor Manalis by establishing the Manalis Environmental Leadership Fund, which supports lectures, workshops and professional development opportunities for students.
“UC Santa Barbara is like a big family,” said Howard. “The professors are generous scholars and teachers, and the whole infrastructure at UC Santa Barbara is amazing. Everybody is there for the students. I can't tell you how important that was, as someone whose family was unable to help financially. That makes giving back easy to do.” Howard and Lisa also give back through the Wenger Scholarship Fund for Sustainable Energy, which helps Environmental Studies undergraduates — with a preference for underrepresented students — to conduct research with UC Santa Barbara professors focused on energy technology, environmental justice, renewable energy and climate change.
“This place is full of brilliant people with good hearts and good intentions,” said Lisa. “It's well-run, and it serves the needs of the students. UC Santa Barbara is a great institution, and supporting UC Santa Barbara is a way to support many generations to come.”
Published November 2024
UC Santa Barbara is like a big family, the professors are generous scholars and teachers, and the whole infrastructure at UC Santa Barbara is amazing. Everybody is there for the students. I can't tell you how important that was, as someone whose family was unable to help financially. That makes giving back easy to do.
Howard Wenger '82
