Our Stories

Philanthropy is a process of discovery. Supporters and scholars learn and grow together. These stories illustrate the meaningful relationships that enrich our campus community and beyond.

Discover what inspires our community of supporters.

Our Stories List

Planning for the Future

In his 34 years of teaching, Paul Wack has taught 20,000 environmental studies students and aspiring planners at UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Sonoma State. He is still deeply involved at UC Santa Barbara and helped lead fundraising during the Environmental Studies Program’s 50th anniversary in 2020. Paul's generous estate gift will be added to the endowed fund he created to support students in environmental studies.

A Ticket to Understanding

The Ellen and Robert Raede Scholarship has supported students who’ve studied in countries including Israel, Ghana, UK-Scotland, Spain, and Denmark. Ellen Raede '80 is the founding chair of the EAP Ambassadors at UC Santa Barbara, a group of dedicated EAP alumni donors, and she has served on that volunteer committee for 15 years. Ellen and Robert '80 met at UC Santa Barbara and have supported UCSB EAP for over two decades.

The Wilcox Legacy

Gary and Sue Wilcox dedicated decades of leadership and experience to UC Santa Barbara, the university where they met and earned six combined degrees. Gary was elected to the UC Santa Barbara Foundation Board of Trustees in 1997, and together, the couple enjoyed engaging with campus in many ways. Gary passed away in May 2021, but the family’s love for UC Santa Barbara will endure through their lasting impact and Sue’s continued service.

Life on Earth

UC Santa Barbara’s Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration (CCBER) is dedicated to research, education, and outreach specializing in regional biodiversity and the restoration of campus land. Thanks to Dr. Shirley Tucker’s renewed support of the Tucker Curator of Biodiversity Collections and Botanical Research, the collections are stewarded by a dedicated researcher who conducts original research, mentors students, and makes the collections accessible to researchers and the public.

A Gilded Opportunity

One of the most anticipated nights for UC Santa Barbara Athletics is its coveted Golden Eagle Awards, which recognize the highest academic achievements among student-athletes. The annual event was established by the generous support of UC Santa Barbara Foundation Trustee Peter Jordano and his wife, Gerd. Pete and Gerd are longtime philanthropists whose ongoing support of UCSB Athletics inspires student-athletes to be their best selves.

UC Santa Barbara’s Alzheimer’s Research

Alzheimer’s disease research at UC Santa Barbara has received generous support from philanthropists dedicated to finding a cure. The John Douglas French Alzheimer’s Foundation (JDFAF), with supporters who have risen to the challenge of their matching gift, have made a visionary investment in the work of neuroscientist Kenneth S. Kosik.

The Collective Culture

Robert and Nicole Keller have always prioritized education as a fundamental tool for nurturing children, communities, and the country as a whole. At UC Santa Barbara, the Kellers’ flexible philanthropy supports the top priorities of the Division of Student Affairs, with special consideration given to initiatives that focus on student health and wellness, the Disabled Student Program, and programs that build a sense of community and campus pride.

Jennifer Lechter and her father, Jerry Friedman.

Breaking Convention

Thanks to generous support from parents Jennifer and Ariel Lechter, the newly established Artists’ Futures Fund will train College of Creative Studies (CCS) and College of Letters and Sciences student artists for the practical, competitive world beyond graduation.

A Home on Campus

Will and Jennifer Cooper are committed to making sure Gauchos have a healthy place to live, work and thrive through their support of affordable campus housing, sustainability efforts and scholarships for low-income, underrepresented students.