'Vision and Expertise'

Three new trustees, all alumni of the university, have been elected to the board of the UC Santa Barbara Foundation. Laurie Bentson Kauth, Claudia Webster and Howard Wenger 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.

“We are honored to welcome our new trustees to the board of the UC Santa Barbara Foundation,” said UCSB Chancellor Henry T. Yang. “The university is fortunate to have their leadership and support, and is inspired by their extraordinary vision. Our foundation trustees are critical to our efforts to ensure a sustainable and vibrant future for our campus. We are honored by their commitment and deeply appreciate their partnership.”

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 am thrilled to welcome our new trustees and the vision and expertise they will bring to our board,” said Lady Leslie Ridley-Tree, chair of the UC Santa Barbara Foundation. “I am equally thrilled about all our returning trustees, whose wisdom and insights are so crucial to our efforts. It’s going to be an exciting year.”

About the new trustees for the 2016–2017 year:

• Laurie Bentson Kauth ’69 — President, The Bentson Foundation (Minnesota, Santa Barbara)

• Claudia Webster ’75 — Community and educational advocate (Santa Cruz)

• Howard Wenger ’82 — President, business units, SunPower Corporation (San Jose)

“The university is so fortunate to have these highly impressive new trustees joining our board,” said Beverly Colgate, executive director of the UC Santa Barbara Foundation. “All three are alumni with a proven commitment to their alma mater in terms of support and leadership. These Gauchos each have already been deeply involved with UCSB, sharing their vision and creating transformative enhancements in those campus areas they are passionate about. We look forward to more of the same from them as trustees.”

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.