Library Planned Giving
Protecting Ocean Forests
Helen Hansma ’75, associate adjunct professor emerita, is the granddaughter of a botany professor; plants are in her genes. After a prestigious career as a biophysicist, Helen found herself returning to her lifelong fondness for kelp. Her bequest to support kelp research at UC Santa Barbara will help provide the resources needed to monitor and protect these critical marine forests.
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An Anchor
Dorris Goodrich was a lifelong scholar with research interests in the British education system, psychology, and art. Her husband, Chauncey, was a UC Santa Barbara faculty emeritus in East Asian languages and cultural studies. When the Goodriches passed, they left their legacy to the UCSB Library. Their gift will support the pre-existing Henry H. Tai East Asian Collection and the Art & Architecture Collection of the UCSB Library.
Practical Idealists
Professors Lorraine McDonnell and her late husband, Stephen Weatherford, supported UC Santa Barbara's UCDC program for over 25 years. UCDC offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in public service through internships and academic instruction in the nation’s capital. Lorraine and Stephen created the first donor-supported funds for UCDC, both current-use and endowed, and often engaged with students and alumni during their visits to Washington.
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Part of the Family
UC Santa Barbara’s Koegel Autism Center had a special place in the lives of Dennis Morelos and his late wife, Soledad. When designating their charitable beneficiaries, the couple decided to name the center as the recipient of a generous bequest. Soledad’s great-niece benefitted from the interventions and resources available there, and the Moreloses wanted to give back.
Mapmaking
Through a generous bequest to the STEM fields at UC Santa Barbara and more specifically for the Department of Geography, Kim Whittier '87 hopes her legacy gift will inspire more students — especially women — to pursue the sciences. The legacy gift, named The Delma C. Whittier Scholarship Fund, is dedicated in honor of Kim’s late mother.
Education as Equalizer
The daughter of Filipino immigrants, Carla Van Hoven Riley ’96 arrived on campus as a transfer student in search of financial security. In honor of the path she found at UC Santa Barbara, Carla and her husband are proud to support scholarships for students in STEM and economics. The family will continue that support in perpetuity through a bequest in their estate plans.
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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