I am delighted to share the wonderful news that UC Santa Cruz has received a gift to establish an endowment for College Eight, which will be named in honor of crusading environmentalist Rachel Carson.
A generous gift from the Helen and Will Webster Foundation is making this possible. The naming of the college—our first in 35 years—honors Carson, whose 1962 book Silent Spring exposed the devastating environmental impacts of DDT and inspired the modern-day environmental movement. Rachel Carson College will be the first college at UC Santa Cruz to bear a woman's name.
The campus will host a public dedication on Thursday, October 6, at noon in the Rachel Carson College courtyard. I hope you will join me for the celebration.
UC Santa Cruz is well known for pioneering environmental research that advances ecological protection. This gift has added meaning in light of our role saving the peregrine falcon, which was on the brink of extinction caused by DDT. I want to thank Claudia and Alec Webster (Rachel Carson College [formerly College Eight] '02), stewards of the Webster Foundation, who worked closely with Provost Ronnie Lipschutz to honor the campus's legacy and Rachel Carson's historic contributions.
The gift funds an endowment for the college that will support research and educational opportunities for students. It is part of a $7 million package focused on the environment that establishes faculty chairs in ecology and environmental justice, and in science communication. Mark Headley (Stevenson '83) and Christina Pehl are major donors to the project, as well; UC Office of the President contributed matching funds to the faculty chairs. You can read the full story on our Newscenter site.
This is an exciting day for the campus and an important milestone in the Campaign for UC Santa Cruz. I am delighted that our partners in philanthropy are choosing to build on our achievements in ways that will benefit today's students—and tomorrow's. Fiat Slugs!
