Beyond Academia
A bequest from Anthony Moran ’78 supports a path in history for undergraduates
Anthony Moran ’78 was struck by the depth and richness of his UC Santa Barbara professors’ approach to history. Familiar high school topics became far more nuanced and engaging. He remembers professors Frank Frost, Jim McClellan, Albert Lindemann, and Sears McGee as exceptional teachers whose courses made history feel alive — sometimes through slide shows and period music. The turning point was a Russian history sequence.
“That was probably some of the hardest work I ever did in college. In that series, I got a B+ in the first quarter, an A- in the second, and an A in the third. By the time that was done, I was all in on the study of history. It brought out the best in me,” said Anthony.
The history major also prepared him for his career. After college, Anthony earned a master’s in public administration from the University of Southern California, and a 30-year career with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) followed. By leaving a bequest to the Department of History, Anthony hopes to give undergraduates the same freedom to pursue that degree.
At the GAO, Anthony received congressional committee assignments requesting information about various issues that would allow Congress to make informed decisions. His role was to lead teams of analysts to research and prepare assessments that answered Congress’ queries.
“By the time you were done, you knew as much about the topic as anybody in the country. It was like getting a master’s degree each time. Our teams gathered large amounts of information, analyzed it, synthesized it, and reported it over 9-12 months,” said Anthony.
Early in his career, Anthony led the GAO’s reporting for Congress ahead of the NAFTA vote, travelling extensively to Canada and Mexico. Research related to international issues and trade agreements also sent him worldwide, including to South Sudan, Nigeria, South Africa, and Argentina, in addition to many of the capitals of Europe and Asia. Later in his career, Anthony led teams that examined the management of the U.S. Department of State.
“The study of history translated really well. You don’t have to have a degree in a STEM field to get a good job. If you have the skills that a humanities education can provide, employers will treasure that,” said Anthony.
“We encourage students to read widely and learn how to absorb large amounts of material efficiently. Writing is at the heart of studying history. Learning how to assemble the facts and connect them through thoughtful analysis gives students a tremendous head start, no matter what path they choose after graduation.
“As the case of Anthony illustrates, there are a large number of history alumni, mostly undergraduate, who have really stayed connected with the university. Anthony has been successful professionally and made a generous contribution. Those who start scholarships, fellowships, and grants live on in the kind of learning and research that students do,” said Professor Salim Yaqub, department chair.
Before his 2014 retirement, one of Anthony’s final assignments sent him to Russia. While walking through St. Petersburg, he thought of his grandmother at age 17, crossing the same square while attending teachers college before emigrating to Canada after the Russian Revolution. He felt his education had come full circle.
“I want undergraduates to be able to benefit in the same way,” said Anthony. “I want my legacy to support someone who will become interested in history, study it, and then apply those acquired skills in other fields. I feel that my legacy could contribute to that path.”
Published October 2026
I want my legacy to support someone who will become interested in history, study it, and then apply those acquired skills in other fields. I feel that my legacy could contribute to that path.
Anthony Moran ’78, pictured below with his wife, Revae
