Our Stories

Conversations That Matter

John Jostes ’71 was a UC Santa Barbara student during the 1969 oil spill that compelled him to dedicate his career in urban planning and coastal management.

$Graduating students at commencement$

A Model for Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA)

For 40 years, MESA has provided the academic support, resources, and career services needed to increase the number of minority undergraduates who earn engineering degrees at UC Santa Barbara.

Unconventional Curricula

Wes Fields ’76 studied literature and life sciences at UC Santa Barbara’s College of Creative Studies. Wes drew on these storytelling skills throughout his career in emergency medicine and health policy.

Clark Mitchel ’78, MFA ’81 and Lars Bildsten

The Quandaries of Nature

Without hesitation, Glen Mitchel can tell you that there are exactly 22 chalkboards in KITP’s Charles T. Munger Physics Residence. He enjoys the image of physicists from around the world housed comfortably on campus with their families and plenty of chalk.

Taking Root at UC Santa Barbara

Trudi Kerkmeyer found mentors, friends, and a lasting love for botany at UC Santa Barbara. She left her estate to the biological sciences to support students facing hardship, just as she once did. Her gift honors those who helped her persevere and ensures future students stay on track to graduate.

River Recovery

The Coca-Cola Foundation and the Benioff Ocean Initiative are funding nine river clean-up projects through a global partnership. The effort will remove plastic waste and collect data to inform behavior change.

#UCSBTogether

During the COVID-19 pandemic, friends and alumni helped students feel cared for and supported by their community through financial support, advocacy, community-building, and words of encouragement. Campus efforts supported students, accelerated research, and mitigated the impact of this public health crisis thanks to the generosity and advocacy of our community.

Generosity as Compass

When Thomas Massa graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 1968, he was one of only eight geography students. Tom has made the first bequest commitment to the UC Santa Barbara Department of Geography in its 57-year history, hoping to inspire students to be curious about the world.

Signaling the Value of Education

The late Harold Frank, a World War II veteran and first-generation American, used the GI Bill to complete his education and committed his life to creating opportunities for others.

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 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.

It's A Match

The future for UC Santa Barbara’s Valentine Eastern Sierra Reserves (VESR) looks bright as a new grant from the Tambour Foundation expands their horizons. Known to be a hub for research, education, and restoration, this gift is set to enhance VESR’s academic offerings, advance the investigations being conducted in the region, and ensure the longevity of the local communities.

The Power of Curiosity

At UC Santa Barbara, academic excellence is a collaborative effort. Having served on the Academic Senate during his tenure, Professor Emeritus Richard Watts knows this to be true, and it plays a fundamental role in his continued generosity across campus today.

An Audacious Adventurer

Margaret Becker Morez has led a colorful life of service, creativity, and community enrichment. Now, she has dedicated her legacy gift to UC Santa Barbara’s Early Childhood Care and Education Services to continue carrying her spirit of her vibrant life by ensuring a vibrant future for local families.

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.

New Horizons

To keep up in the modern world, the ability to comprehend data and technology is no longer optional, regardless of your discipline. This understanding and first-hand experience is what led Ross Dowd ’94 to establish the Dowd Creative Computing Initiative, intended to train humanities majors how to use technology to enhance their communication skills and create content in all mediums.

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.

Conversations That Matter

A Model for Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA)

Unconventional Curricula

The Quandaries of Nature

Taking Root at UC Santa Barbara

River Recovery

#UCSBTogether

Generosity as Compass

Signaling the Value of Education

Breaking Convention

A Wider World

It's A Match

The Power of Curiosity

An Audacious Adventurer

A Bridge to the Community

The Richness of Religion

New Horizons

Turning the Tides

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