Donor News

Tom Killion: A life in color

Alumnus Tom Killion, whose intricate woodcut prints have captured scenes of rugged beauty for decades, brings his traveling exhibit to the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History in January.

Cowell Ranch Hay Barn recognized by architects

The Cowell Ranch Hay Barn has received recognition from the East Bay chapter of the American Institute of Architects.

Two UCSC biologists receive Howard Hughes Medical Institute Professor awards

Biology professors Beth Shapiro and Erika Zavaleta won HHMI funding for their innovative science education proposals.

UC Santa Cruz students tackle poverty and income inequality

Each year, undergraduate and graduate student scholars of the Blum Center on Poverty, Social Enterprise, and Participatory Governance take a deep dive into a wide range of issues related to fiscal equity, affordable housing, and food insecurity as they build the skills they will need to help build a more equitable society.

Boating center wins best-in-show at harbor's Lighted Boat Parade

The UC Santa Cruz Community Boating Center sailed away with the coveted best-in-show award at the 32nd annual Lighted Boat Parade held at the Santa Cruz Small Craft Harbor Saturday, Dec. 2.

Global SPHERE Network promotes research opportunities for high school students

A coalition of top U.S. educational institutions has launched a mentor network and online database to increase access to STEM research opportunities for high school students.

Science comes alive with 'A Seal Named Patches'

A new children’s book by a pair of alumni scientists is making a splash.

Big data for social good: Tri-county initiative will benefit K-12 students

Rod Ogawa and Rebecca London are helping launch a data-sharing initiative that will benefit K-12 students in Santa Clara, San Mateo, and Santa Cruz counties.

Tackling challenges on the way to a national championship

UC Santa Cruz’s men’s rugby team looks forward to a promising 50th season

Student-run hackathon scheduled for January 19-21 at UC Santa Cruz

CruzHacks 2018 is seeking sponsors to support the popular technology development event.

Solar greenhouses generate electricity and grow crops at the same time, UC Santa Cruz study reveals

The first crops of tomatoes and cucumbers grown inside electricity-generating solar greenhouses were as healthy as those raised in conventional greenhouses, signaling that "smart" greenhouses hold great promise for dual-use farming and renewable electricity production.

A month of generosity

Fall Into Philanthropy is a month-long funding drive that puts the spotlight on UC Santa Cruz programs that bolster research, endowment funds and student scholarships, while fostering a culture of giving.

MCD Biology launches undergraduate biomedical research initiative

Biology professor Jeremy Sanford is taking a bold new approach to the undergraduate biology lab experience.

Fishing physician

Alumnus Greg Olsen not only leads a successful medical practice, but also a booming commercial fishing business

Talk with the architect: Cowell Ranch Hay Barn

On Wednesday evening, November 8, architect, UC Santa Cruz alumnus and Professor Emeritus of architecture Richard Fernau will speak about his office’s renovation/reinvention of the Cowell Ranch Hay Barn.

UC Santa Cruz ranks in top 50 of global research universities, 5th for space sciences

UC Santa Cruz ranks fifth in the world for space sciences and is one of six University of California campuses ranked among the top 50 research universities overall, according to a study by U.S. News and World Report.

Geologist Gary Griggs publishes two new books on coastal issues

'The Edge' focuses on California’s unique coastline, while 'Coasts in Crisis' offers a global perspective on the issues facing coastal regions throughout the world.

Social Sciences Dean Katharyne Mitchell steps in to leadership, asks others to step up, too

Two months into her new job, Social Sciences Dean Katharyne Mitchell has brought energy, focus, and vision to the division.

Hay Barn receives preservation design award

The Cowell Lime Works Hay Barn has won a 2017 Preservation Design Award from the California Preservation Foundation.

European migrant crisis influenced by faith groups pursuing 'alternative justice'

Churches and other faith-based organizations are playing a distinctive role in the European migrant crisis, according to geographer Katharyne Mitchell.

Dean Alex Wolf leads growing engineering school in era of technological change

As he begins his second full academic year as dean, Alex Wolf discusses his first year and his plans for the future of the engineering school in a wide-ranging interview.

First observations of merging neutron stars mark a new era in astronomy

A UC Santa Cruz team made the first ever observations of a visible event linked to the detection of gravitational waves, using the small Swope Telescope in Chile.

Astronomer Alexie Leauthaud wins prestigious Packard Fellowship

Leauthaud is the 13th UCSC faculty member, and sixth UCSC astronomer, to receive a Packard Fellowship.

UC Santa Cruz to dedicate new Coastal Biology building on October 21

The newest building on UCSC's vibrant Coastal Science Campus is now home to the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology.

Nearly 70 percent experience "rent burden" in Santa Cruz County, according to UC Santa Cruz survey results

Nearly 70 percent of renters surveyed in Santa Cruz County experience "rent burden," defined as spending more than 30 percent of their income on rent and utilities, according to preliminary results of a survey of 1,700 renters across the county conducted by UC Santa Cruz.

Sustainability plan charts course forward

By Elida Erickson, Sustainability Director — The campus community is invited to learn more about the new sustainability plan during an Oct. 19 kick-off event at the Arboretum.

UC Santa Cruz raises more than $335 million from 63,064 donors

In the coming weeks, the campus will celebrate the success of the campaign, which concluded six months ahead of schedule and exceeded its initial goal of raising $300 million.

Move-in 2017: Jittery nerves and words of wisdom

Move-in week at UC Santa Cruz was a time for parental advice, long goodbyes, meeting roommates, exploring the wooded campus and making "fast friends."

Free public talk by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, pioneer of microfinance, on Oct. 10

The public is invited to attend a free talk by microfinance pioneer Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday, October 10, in the College 9/10 Multipurpose Room at UC Santa Cruz.

Love 'em or hate 'em, robots are here to stay so let's make them better, says psychology prof

Leila Takayama's work focuses on improving the design and function of personal robots to make them more appealing to humans, expanding what they can do for us.

Campus moving forward with Kresge renewal

In the coming years, UC Santa Cruz will embark on an extensive two-phase renewal and revitalization of Kresge College.

UC Santa Cruz ranked third worldwide for research influence

In a new analysis of the world’s top universities, UCSC ranked third in research influence as measured by the number of times its faculty’s published work is cited by scholars around the world.

Parents know best: How everyday conversations foster children's learning

For more than two decades, developmental psychologist Maureen Callanan has collaborated with Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose to study how children learn to think about the world around them.

Coastal wetlands dramatically reduce property losses during hurricanes

A new scientific study reports that coastal wetlands significantly reduce annual flood losses and catastrophic damages from storms.

Giving fish a fighting chance

Alumnus Brycen Swart identified how warmer river temperatures were hurting Chinook salmon fry—and he earned a medal for conserving them.

Lessons of regional recovery from around the country

As the country's political and cultural divides appear insurmountable, Chris Benner says hope can be found at the local and regional level.

Alum and independent filmmaker Peter Bratt directs, writes, and produces documentary about labor activist Dolores Huerta

Independent filmmaker Peter Bratt, a 1986 politics graduate of Cowell College, has written, directed, and produced a new documentary about legendary labor activist Dolores Huerta.

Murals tell a story of pan-Latino solidarity in SF's Mission District

Graduate student Mauricio Ramírez is an artist, a muralist, and a native San Franciscan who is fascinated by the murals in the Mission District of San Francisco—and by the progressive coalition of artists and immigrants that coalesced during the decades they were painted.

Tuning in to social justice

Professor-turned-radio show producer Sylvanna Falcón talks about the importance of public scholarship in the Trump era.

Social psychology sheds light on Trump's appeal

The surprising election of Donald Trump prompted a widespread desire to understand the factors at play in his unexpected victory. A recent analysis suggests that five social-psychological phenomena helped power Trump to victory: authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, prejudice, relative deprivation, and intergroup contact.

Telling stories that haven't been told

Filmmaker and alumnus Tal Skloot aims to show a different perspective with eclectic, meaningful subject matter.

Federal support essential for cutting-edge research

By Scott Brandt, Vice Chancellor for Research—The University of California is at a crossroads in its push to remain the leading educational system in world-class research. Across our campuses, institutes, and partnerships, discussions are taking place regarding the drastic reductions to federal research funding being considered in Washington, D.C., that threaten to disrupt our capacity to produce invaluable research.

History professor Alma Heckman named Neufeld-Levin Chair of Holocaust Studies

Assistant professor of history and Jewish Studies Alma Rachel Heckman has been appointed as the new holder of the Neufeld-Levin Holocaust Endowed Chair at UC Santa Cruz

UC Santa Cruz celebrates 50 years of organic farming

The three-day celebration culminated with a joyful dinner presided over by famed chef, restaurateur, and organic food advocate Alice Waters.

Master gardener Orin Martin celebrates 40 years at the Alan Chadwick Garden

Orin Martin, who is celebrating his 40th anniversary with the UC Santa Cruz Farm & Garden this month, enjoys every minute, calling the students and apprentices he shares his days with "the light of the world."

Intercollegiate athletics program charts course into the future

The NCAA Division III program, which has been under a budget cloud for the past several years, can now confidently look toward the future. The program has been bolstered by a new student fee, was recently restructured so it aligns with other successful Division III programs in the nation, and will head into the coming season with more awareness than ever before.

Did life begin on land rather than in the sea?

A paradigm-shifting hypothesis laid out by UC Santa Cruz astrobiologists David Deamer and Bruce Damer could reshape our idea about the origin of life.

Growing farmers and the food movement for 50 years

The experiment in organic gardening that began at UC Santa Cruz in 1967 is now the oldest university-based organic research and education facility in the country.

Gardening workshops July 29 are part of UC Santa Cruz celebration of 50 years of organic farming

The public is invited to attend an afternoon of gardening workshops on Saturday, July 29, as part of the "First 50 Celebration" of the UC Santa Cruz Farm & Garden.

Campus admits record number of California transfers

UC Santa Cruz offered admission to 27,216 students for the upcoming academic year with a record number of offers made to California community college students. The largest portion of admissions offers—19,258 or 70 percent—are to California students.

'Little Cub' gives astronomers rare chance to see galaxy demise

A primitive galaxy that could provide clues about the early universe has been spotted by astronomers as it begins to be consumed by a gigantic neighboring galaxy.

Lick Observatory kicks off popular Summer Series

Natalie Batalha, who earned her doctorate in astrophysics from UC Santa Cruz, was the keynote scientist on the second evening of the 37th annual Summer Series at the Lick Observatory on Mt. Hamilton.

First-generation stories: Headed to UCLA to continue cancer research

Our podcast catches up with new grad Hector Navarro, a first-generation college student who's off to big things.

Steck Award recipient seeks to solve atomic structure of human astrovirus

Edmundo Perez (College 10 ‘17, bioengineering) is being recognized for his work on how the human immune system blocks virus infection and disease.

Looking for life

Alumna Natalie Batalha, who made Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people on Earth, has discovered approximately 4,000 new planets—some of which may turn out to be capable of supporting life.

New graduates head into two-year teaching corps

Five UC Santa Cruz graduates are joining about 6,800 new graduates and professionals who have committed to work two years in rural and urban schools as part of Teach For America

Campus preparing for commencement 2017

More than 4,800 UCSC students are earning undergraduate and graduate degrees for work completed during the 2016-2017 academic year.

Accelerating success: 5 startups chosen to jump-start businesses

The UC Santa Cruz Office of Research will provide $500,000 to the accelerator program, which serves early-stage technology businesses that have a product but haven’t started selling it. The accelerator will be run by Santa Cruz Works, a local nonprofit that supports science and technology companies.

Students present diversity project to state leaders

Student leaders presented a diversity project that received one-time state funding through the UC Office of the President.

Chancellor’s diversity awards recognize work, commitment

Chancellor George Blumenthal presented seven Chancellor's Achievement Awards for Diversity, as well as the WiSE award, during a May 31 ceremony at the Colleges Nine and Ten Multipurpose Room.

Athletics fee referendum passes

Measure 68, which proposed a $38.50-per-quarter fee to support the NCAA athletics program and provide access to athletic-related activities to students who meet the Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP) criteria, passed with 79 percent of voting students supporting the fee.

UC Santa Cruz to launch first-generation faculty campaign

UC Santa Cruz will launch the First-Gen Faculty (FGF) campaign during Student Achievement week, which starts June 5. This initiative is aimed at encouraging professors on campus to identify themselves as first generation — the first in their families to graduate from a U.S. four-year college or university.

Ronnie Lipschutz appointed to chair in integral ecology and environmental justice

Ronnie Lipschutz, professor of politics and provost of Rachel Carson College, was honored as the inaugural holder of the Robert Headley Presidential Chair for Integral Ecology and Environmental Justice.

Koret scholars present research at poster slam

The Koret Scholars Undergraduate Research Slam will feature poster presentations about topics as diverse as a protein link to heart disease, female authorship in science fiction and horror genres, and the qualitative impact that research opportunities can have on the undergrad experience.

Hands-on learning is the name of the game in archaeology

In a unique partnership, UC Santa Cruz is collaborating with California State Parks, Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks, and a private firm to give students hands-on experience in archaeology.

People of Color Sustainability Collective wins top honors

The Best Practice Award is the highest honor in the field of higher education sustainability in the state. It will be presented during the California Higher Education Sustainability Conference June 26–29 at UC Santa Barbara.

'Be so good they can’t ignore you'

Creative obsession and hard work led alumnus Kalen Egan to his role in producing one of Amazon’s most popular television series, The Man in the High Castle.

Alumna committed to improving financial literacy for women

Sherry Paul committed herself to financial literacy after witnessing the negative impact of financial inequities—what happens when people don’t have money to support their basic needs and their ideals.

High school students wrestle with ethical quandaries

With coaching from the UC Santa Cruz Ethics Bowl team, underrepresented students from regional high schools gathered to discuss thorny questions on topics ranging from white privilege to sports and gender at the second annual Invitational Ethics Bowl.

Graduating senior propelled by curiosity and a desire to give back

Jenn Figueroa arrived at College Ten from her hometown of Northridge and proceeded to take advantage of every extracurricular program offered by College Nine and College Ten.

Diving in: Students in beginning swim class learn more than the backstroke

Students who never learned to swim are gaining confidence and relieving stress in level 1 swim class—as well as opening themselves up to new possibilities such as surfing and scuba diving.

Housing expansion supports student success

By Sarah Latham, Vice Chancellor Business and Administrative Services — Living on campus is an important element in the success of our students and we have a responsibility to ensure adequate on-campus housing for our current and future students.

Statement on fossil-fuel dependency

UC Santa Cruz receives gift to establish Baskin Foundation Presidential Chair for Feminist Studies

UC Santa Cruz has received a $500,000 gift from the Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation, plus matching funds from the UC Regents, to establish the $1 million "Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation Presidential Chair for Feminist Studies."

Technology doesn't have to be a headache

Psychology Professor Steve Whittaker is working to improve the way we interface with technology--and harnessing it to improve our well-being.

U.S. farmland becoming a hot commodity as investors buy up acreage

Institutional investors have been buying up farmland across the country in a trend that could have significant impacts on farmers.

Enrollment opens for UCSC Summer Session

Open enrollment is underway for UC Santa Cruz Summer Session, which offers a wide range of classes and online courses across multiple departments.

Campus status updates

Both entrances are open as of 5 p.m. Motorists should drive with caution.

Cultivating potential: How UC Santa Cruz is helping undocumented students thrive

Thanks to more than a half-dozen programs, undocumented students on campus have been able to get support, assistance, and encouragement—and the campus benefits from nurturing their passion and talent.

Pioneering biologist Robert L. Sinsheimer dies at age 97

Sinsheimer served as chancellor of UC Santa Cruz from 1977 to 1987.

Students to consider sustainable funding model for intercollegiate athletics

The Office of Physical Education, Recreation, and Sports is proposing a $38.50 -per-quarter fee, which if approved would provide the NCAA Division III program with approximately $1.1 million beginning in fall 2018.

Dancing for joy: Los Mejicas dance troupe provides a home away from home

For 45 years, the Los Mejicas folklorico dance troupe has connected students with their cultural traditions--and each other.

Alums launch video game based on ancient Mesoamerican myth

"Ulama: Arena of the Gods," a collaboration from three Games and Playable Media alums, launched March 28 on the Steam platform.

Art imitates life: The Black Panther Party and the birth of a comic book series

A Special Collections exhibit organized by graduate students examines the famed Marvel Comics Black Panther series and its connections to black history, including the Black Panther Party.

Honoring the legacy of César E. Chávez on campus

The legacy of César Chávez, who would have been 90 years old this Friday, includes deep and lasting relationships with many UC Santa Cruz alumni, faculty, and staff, whose lives were changed through the nonviolent farmworker movement that started in the ’60s and continues today.

Prop. 8 plaintiff Kris Perry receives Distinguished Social Sciences Alumni Award

"You only win your civil rights by fighting for them," says alumna Kris Perry, who will be honored at a reception on Friday, April 28.

Rescuing data and shoring up environmental agencies in the Trump era

Sociologist Lindsey Dillon is part of a network of data champions monitoring federal websites to preserve scientific data and track changes made by the Trump administration.

Water wizards: Building an underground savings account to bolster water supply

An innovative water-conservation strategy diverts water from overflowing rivers to fallow farmland, where it seeps into the soil and replenishes depleted aquifers.

Alumnus takes students into Africa

Melvin Cox's Focus on Africa class has taken more than a dozen students to the continent over the past two years, showing another side of Africa—one that is multiethnic and multicultural, with thriving cities and economic opportunities.

Open dialogue on religions to foster understanding

The UC Santa Cruz Interfaith Council will host an open dialogue on religion from 7–8:30 p.m. on April 6 in the Crown College/Merrill College Community Room.

Report highlights strategic plan’s successes

A report about Envision UC Santa Cruz summarizes the many accomplishments in key target areas since the strategic planning process began in the 2013–14 academic year.

Gun safety advocate Shannon Watts to speak at Gabriel Zimmerman Award benefit

Gun safety advocate Shannon Watts will be the keynote speaker at a campus reception to celebrate the life of alum Gabriel Zimmerman.

Reef madness: A coral grows at UC Santa Cruz

Hundreds of students and community members are contributing their handiwork to the Crochet Coral Reef, a massive participatory art project that combines higher geometry with handicraft while calling attention to the disappearing wonders of the marine world.

Gift from Narinder Kapany will establish Sikh book collection and study room at McHenry Library

UC Santa Cruz has received a gift from Dr. Narinder Kapany to establish the Sundar Singh Kapany Book Collection and the Sundar Singh Kapany Group Study Room in the University Library.

UCSC Grad Slam winner envisions surfing on shrimp shells

John Felts, a second year Ph.D. electrical engineering student, earned top marks for his talk about creating environmentally friendly surfboard foam from shrimp shells.

With more than 100 featured projects, UC Santa Cruz hosts Giving Day 2017

The website site will go live at 12:01 a.m. on March 8 for donors to make gifts and track their favorite projects in real-time. Giving Day 2017 builds on the success of last year’s event, when nearly 3,000 donors came together to collectively give $340,000.

Campaign for UC Santa Cruz enters home stretch

The campaign is the university’s first campuswide effort to build a culture of giving in support of students, faculty, and campus programs. Launched in 2009 and publicly announced in fall 2013, the campaign has raised $311 million in gifts.

Men's volleyball ranks No. 2 in division

Each week committees from around the country in each division study the week’s match ups to determine the best teams.

Diversity, inclusivity key to a growing economy

The face of small business is shifting. From 2007–2012, Latino-owned businesses in the U.S. grew by 34.5 percent and African American-owned enterprises grew by 46.3 percent. A quarter of all new businesses were started by immigrants.

Donation by rugby alumnus lights up Lower East Field

The lights turned on this month, thanks to a generous donation by rugby alumnus George Kraw (1971), who played mostly “lock” and “break-away” on the first rugby team in 1967.

Hummingbird Day at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum is Saturday, March 4

Hummingbird Day is a family-oriented event celebrating one of nature’s vibrant aerial acrobats, the hummingbird.

High-demand courses to be offered in summer session

The focus for summer 2017 is to offer high-demand courses in small class sizes. There will be 20 online courses, up from 11 last summer, as well as more than 250 on-campus courses across 30 departments.

The mighty Phyllis returns after record-shattering swim

The tagged elephant seal's landing at Año Nuevo means she swam about 7,400 miles, longer than any elephant seal recorded over two decades—then she gave birth to a baby boy.

UCSC climate conference draws top scientists, policy makers Feb. 24-25

UCSC will host a national conference on climate change featuring top climate scientists and policy experts from across the country.

Marlene Tromp selected as UC Santa Cruz campus provost and executive vice chancellor

Tromp will serve as the chief academic officer and provide academic leadership to UC Santa Cruz.

Welcoming Marlene Tromp to UC Santa Cruz

Tromp, vice provost at Arizona State University's West Campus and a professor of English and women and gender studies, will arrive on campus June 1.

Multicultural Career Conference poised to celebrate 30 years

The Multicultural Career Conference is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary in early February, marking a long history of connecting students with alumni who know the challenges of beginning a career.

Report of sexual assault allegations against former faculty member

As soon as these allegations were reported, the campus acted swiftly to address the victim’s claims, which appeared to be clear violations of the UC Santa Cruz policy on sexual violence and sexual harassment.

Science Internship Program creates opportunities for high school students

SIP alumni and their families are raising funds to extend the program's reach and support need-based scholarships.

UC Santa Cruz launches Murray Baumgarten Endowed Chair in Jewish Studies

UC Santa Cruz has established an endowed chair to honor the person most responsible for the thriving Jewish Studies program that exists on the campus today.

End of the pipeline

In a new book, Professor Flora Lu looks at the oil industry's impact on the Waorani, an indigenous Ecuadorian population living in a region renowned for its ecological diversity.

City, university wharf partnership earns Silicon Valley award

The GreenWharf is a suite of collaborative projects that together minimize the footprint of wharf operations on the surrounding environment while enhancing its appeal as a visitor destination.

UC Santa Cruz receives $2.2 million for innovation and entrepreneurship program

New support program will help bring research innovations to the marketplace and spur economic development in the Santa Cruz area.

Cowell Ranch Hay Barn wins architectural awards

The Cowell Ranch Hay Barn has won two architectural awards: a 2016 Excellence in Design Honor Award from American Institute of Architects Montana, and the 2017 U.S. WoodWorks Regional Excellence Award from the Wood Products Council.

Access advocate Haben Girma to speak on campus

Girma's talk is part of Allies for Inclusion: The Ability Exhibit, a traveling interactive display created to build awareness about people with disabilities.

Axel Alonso: Diversity’s superhero

Alumnus Axel Alonso, editor-in-chief at Marvel Comics, has worked to make comic book characters and their creators reflect our diverse world.

Santa Cruz receives $450,000 grant to study economic inclusivity in emerging countries

UC Santa Cruz will test and refine the foundation’s emerging inclusive economies framework in geographic contexts and markets.