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.

Turning the Tides

In order to overcome the rampant effects of climate change and turn things around for our oceans, we’re going to need all hands on deck. With her lifelong love of oceanic adventure, Sarah Argyropoulos has invested in providing graduate student fellowships for women at the Bren School of Environmental Science & Management.

A Bridge to the Community

Myron Gretler dedicated his life to the betterment of his local Santa Barbara community. Today, the Gretler Foundation carries his legacy of community support by investing in UCSB athletics and the Department of Economics, both of which create meaningful bridges to connect with and uplift those in our region.

The Richness of Religion

To the Sorensen family, both music and the study of religion serve to broaden one’s understanding of various beliefs and traditions. And by endowing a Chair in Choral Music and as well as the Department of Religious Studies, the Sorensens believe these programs work in service of maintaining our connection with humanity.

The University Spark

With a passion for engineering burning bright enough to start a small laboratory fire, Tunç Doluca ’81 established the Doluca Family Endowed Chair in Electrical & Computer Engineering to fan the flame for others.

A Wider World

Unrestricted giving broadens horizons for the entire university, but especially for students. By making an unrestricted legacy gift, Trustee Phillip Spector ’72 intends to expand access to growth opportunities all across campus.

Engaging Humanities

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s dedication to the field of humanities has long been opening doors of opportunity for students and faculty alike. By establishing the Engaging Humanities Initiative, the Mellon Foundation’s latest contribution enables incoming students to participate in cutting-edge discovery courses where they will gain critical skills and insight, and receive guided mentorship to help them build rewarding careers.

The Gift of Experience

John Arnhold ’75 spent only two years as a student at UC Santa Barbara — a relatively brief tenure that nonetheless made quite an impression. Together, the alumnus and his wife, Jody, have been impacting the university in return for more than a decade.

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.

Leaving Legacies and Living Legends

Naturally driven and inquisitive, Scott Dinsmore found the Technology Management Program (TMP) to be the perfect setting to nurture his passion for entrepreneurship that would eventually lead him to launch his own global company. Upon his sudden and unexpected passing, his parents Bill ’68 and Janet Dinsmore dedicated their legacy gift to TMP to honor Scott’s memory and legacy, and the program that helped their son find his purpose.

The Italian Renaissance in Santa Barbara

As one of the first art history professors at UC Santa Barbara, Alfred Moir is credited with significantly growing the department through his legacy of teaching, leadership, and visionary museum curation. Upon his passing, the Moir estate provided several transformative gifts to the university, including the establishment of the Alfred Moir Fellowship in Art History, a donation of over 2,000 original artworks from his personal collection, and 6,000 art and art history books to enrich the library’s Special Research Collections.

Trustee Duncan Mellichamp H'09 and Suzanne ’70 Mellichamp

An Evolving and Rewarding Partnership

For Professor Emeritus Duncan ‘09 and his wife Suzanne ‘70 Mellichamp, finding new ways to give back to their community is what keeps them going. Long-standing donors and campus partners, the Mellichamps’ unwavering generosity continues to advance programming, establish new research initiatives, and ensure the success and longevity of our community.

High Risk, High Reward

Thomas Harriman H'17 knows that high rewards demand high risks. The philanthropist and UCSB Foundation trustee is backing UCSB’s Brain Initiative, which aims to catalyze discovery and innovation in neuroscience by fostering collaborative brain research.

A Family Affair

Linda La Kretz Duttenhaver ’77 and her father, Morton La Kretz, have established The La Kretz Research Center. This will further the Reserve’s stature as an invaluable site for ecological inquiry and education. The gift also creates an endowment for directorship of the center and supports fellowships for promising graduate students.