‘Valued Partners’

Two new trustees, both alumni, have been elected to the board of The UC Santa Barbara Foundation. Michael Stewart and Jeffrey Worthe join the leadership body that promotes the university by increasing philanthropy and managing and growing the endowment.

As UCSB’s principal fundraising organization, the nonprofit foundation generates and administers private gifts to the campus, including support for students, research and instruction. It also ensures the appropriate use of all private funds.

“Our campus has the great honor and good fortune to welcome two new trustees to the UC Santa Barbara Foundation, and we look forward to their inspirational leadership complementing our already exceptional board,” said Chancellor Henry T. Yang. “Michael and Jeffrey join our roster of distinguished alumni on the board, and we appreciate the unique and insightful perspective that our graduates bring to the table.

“Each and every trustee, through their visionary guidance and generous support, plays a vital role in enhancing our academic mission and our reputation as a preeminent world-class research university,” Yang added.  

Helping to forge links between the professional and business communities and the campus to increase private support for university programs, the foundation plays a critical role in promoting and achieving fundraising goals and priorities. The board consists of philanthropic leaders sharing a commitment to advance UCSB’s mission and sustain its reputation for excellence.

“I welcome the addition of these two distinguished professionals and the experience they bring to our board,” said Foundation Chair Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree. “The knowledge they have gleaned in their respective fields will be a tremendous asset. It is always an added joy to have alumni return to the university to be trustees.”

About the new trustees for the 2015–2016 year:

• Michael P. Stewart ’91 — Global Investment Products and Services and Group Managing Director, UBS Investment Bank (Zurich, Switzerland)

• Jeffrey M. Worthe, Jr. ’89 — President, Worthe Real Estate Group (Santa Monica)

 “These two new outstanding alumni leaders bring both national and international business and finance expertise, as well as passion for their alma mater,” said Beverly Colgate, executive director of the UC Santa Barbara Foundation. “All of our trustees are valued partners to our campus and continue to proudly promote the university externally, to assist in raising the profile of this exceptional campus. We are extremely grateful for their commitment.”

The UC Santa Barbara Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees, which includes up to 100 elected distinguished trustees and 14 additional university representatives, and complies with the University of California Policy on Campus Foundations set by the Regents of the University of California. From the foundation’s inception in 1973, members of its board have formed a valuable link between UC Santa Barbara and the local, regional and national communities. As they encourage private gifts and identify and cultivate potential donors, the trustees build interest and support for the campus and communicate to the public an informed understanding of UCSB’s mission.