Library Planned Giving
Critical Mind, Hopeful Heart
The late Arvid James “Jim” Peterson ’80 received his bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from UC Santa Barbara and supported the Environmental Studies Program throughout his life. In honor of the program’s 50th anniversary in 2020, Jim established the A. James Peterson Fund for Advancing Environmental Leadership to help train the next generation of environmental leaders. Jim subsequently named the fund as a beneficiary in his estate plans.
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A Historic Legacy
Professor Emeritus Sears McGee and his wife, Marni, support the UC Santa Barbara Department of History in honor of readers and writers. Sears helped launch The UCSB History Associates, created in 1987 with the dual purpose of uniting interested community members with faculty and raising money to support graduate students. The McGees decided to continue their deep involvement in the Department of History by endowing a fellowship in honor of Sears’s late mother, Mary Beth, who inspired his love of reading.
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Student-Athlete to Coach to Supporter
As one of the first competitive swimmers on the UC Santa Barbara team that formed in the 1950s, Bob Gary ’60,’67 has been involved with UC Santa Barbara aquatic sports from the beginning. As an assistant coach, Bob helped lead the UCSB Men’s Swim Team to UC Santa Barbara’s first ever NCAA title in 1967. The Garys’ charitable gift annuity in support of aquatic sports is an act of gratitude for campus, where Bob’s long career in coaching started.
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Magic Slippers
Miriam Birch ’57 is the three-time Emmy-nominated writer and producer of many award-winning National Geographic Society television specials, among other productions. Her films have received many Emmys as well as the Peabody and DuPont Columbia awards. Miriam’s bequest will provide financial aid through scholarships for undergraduates and merit-based fellowships for graduate students studying theater.
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Sports as Safe Haven
As a UC Santa Barbara professor in the Department of the History of Art & Architecture, Jenni is committed to furthering women in the academy, including sports. Her wife, Cheri, is a former powerlifter and strongwoman competitor who grew up playing basketball. The endowed scholarships they have created in support of UCSB Athletics will help student-athletes compete while balancing rigorous academic work.
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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.
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A Friend and Neighbor to Sedgwick Reserve
Jane Kievit was known in Santa Ynez for her two beagles, bright red Corvette, and verdant garden. A lifelong teacher, Jane and her generous bequest will create opportunities for undergraduate students to travel 30 miles north of campus to learn and explore in UC Santa Barbara's Sedgwick Reserve.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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For the Common Good
Realistic solutions for real world problems. That is the intention of the Pahl Initiative, founded by Louise '77 and Stephen D. '77 Pahl, which funds an annual research project seeking to address the most pressing issues of our time and ultimately result in the kind of knowledge and strategies that lead to tangible change in public policy.
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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.
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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.
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The Architecture of History
Award-winning architect Gil Sanchez dedicated his career to preserving the history and tradition of Mexican-American adobe architecture. Now, by making a bequest to the UCSB Library, in addition to donating a collection of architectural materials from his renowned career to the California Ethnic and Multicultural Archives (CEMA), the legacies of his work and the culture and restoration of historic adobe buildings will continue to be preserved and enjoyed for generations.
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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.
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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.
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