September 25, 2006

Private Support for UCSB Totals $55.3-Million During 2005-06, Bringing UCSB's Campaign Total to More Than $351-Million

Eileen Conrad

UC Santa Barbara's first comprehensive campaign thus far has generated more than $351-million toward a goal of $500-million for priority projects and initiatives across the academic disciplines.

Of that total, UCSB received $55.3-million in gifts and pledges from alumni and friends during the 2005-06 fiscal year for teaching, research, and capital projects.

Philanthropic support in the form of cash for new gifts and pledges accounted for $52.3-million of the amount received, the second highest cash total in campus history.

"UC Santa Barbara is grateful for the extraordinary support and vision of our Foundation Trustees, friends, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents who are helping us create a dynamic future for the university with their generous contributions to The Campaign for UC Santa Barbara," said Chancellor Henry T. Yang.

"Our benefactors are essential to our efforts to attract and retain the best professors and most promising students, as well as develop new educational opportunities, research initiatives, and facilities to ensure UCSB's excellence for future generations."

Since the inception of The Campaign for UC Santa Barbara in 2000, UCSB's endowment -- now estimated at $l55-million -- has nearly doubled.

Numerous benefactors have made philanthropic gifts to create various endowment funds that will provide ongoing support for research and instruction, scholarships and fellowships, innovative programs, and facilities.

A total of 35 new endowed chairs have been established during the campaign, bringing UCSB's total to 60. Included in that figure are five endowed professorships created during 2005-06 by UCSB alumni volunteer leaders and an anonymous benefactor to help build and support the university's distinguished faculty.

Two endowed chairs were established in computer science by Karl and Pamela Lopker and UCSB Foundation Trustee Mark Bertelsen, and his wife, Susan, all UCSB graduates.

Robert Duggan, also a foundation trustee and an alumnus, made a gift to fund an endowed professorship in organic chemistry with his wife, Patricia.

Foundation trustee Gary Wilcox and his wife, Sue, also alumni, established a faculty chair in biotechnology. The anonymous endowment gift will fund a professorship in demography in the social sciences.

This year's success toward the campaign goal was highlighted by some exceptionally generous donations.

They included a record $4.6-million in student support, primarily for graduate fellowships, and $14.9-million in planned gifts, higher than any other previous year.

Individual gifts to the campus increased by more than 8 percent over last year totaling a record 22,700.

Alumni giving also increased substantially, in part due to a $4.9-million planned gift from UCSB alumnus Judith Stapelmann that will eventually fund an unrestricted endowment for the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology and provide operating support for the Sedgwick Reserve.

"The highlights of this fundraising year included significant growth in matured planned gifts, endowment, and graduate fellowships," said Gary Greinke, associate vice chancellor for development.

"Alumni giving also substantially increased, as well as the total number of gifts received, reflecting the building of a strong infrastructure during our campaign."

Among the large contributions designated for faculty research was a $5-million grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to the Donald Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, the Marine Science Institute, and the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis for the development and implementation of sustainable fisheries management practices in fishing communities.

Additional major gifts included $3.5-million from SAGE Publications to launch a new interdisciplinary research center for the study of the mind; $3-million from the Raintree Foundation that will provide unrestricted support for the College of Engineering; and $2.35-million from Brian and Patricia Kelly for UCSB's renowned Koegel Autism Center that will enable the center to expand its facilities and services for children with autism and their families.

Special Collections in the Davidson Library received a rare and extensive collection of early sound recordings and books from the estate of William R. Moran, a noted discographer and campus benefactor. Valued at $2.5-million, the recent gift will augment the William R. Moran

Recorded Sound Archive and support the ongoing work of the UCSB Libraries to preserve and disseminate early sound recordings for use by scholars and enthusiasts.

Private giving helps strengthen the institution at its core and build a margin of excellence. The State of California provides about one-third of UCSB's operating expenses.

"Private giving is a critical component of UCSB's academic excellence," said John M. Wiemann, vice chancellor for institutional advancement, of which development is a part. "UCSB students and faculty will reap the benefits of the growing support of our alumni, parents, and friends for years to come."

About UC Santa Barbara

The University of California, Santa Barbara is a leading research institution that also provides a comprehensive liberal arts learning experience. Our academic community of faculty, students, and staff is characterized by a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration that is responsive to the needs of our multicultural and global society. All of this takes place within a living and learning environment like no other, as we draw inspiration from the beauty and resources of our extraordinary location at the edge of the Pacific Ocean.