Student Experience
Second cohort of Sabatte Scholars celebrate first-year completion
The Sabatte Family Scholarship, established in 2024, provides full-ride scholarships to about 40–50 students each year. The scholarship was made possible through the generous support of alumnus Richard “Rick” Sabatte, who created the scholarship with a gift in his will.
At the end of May, the second-ever cohort of Sabatte Scholars gathered at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum in celebration of their first completed year at the university.
Key takeaways
- The Sabatte Family Scholarship will cover the cost of attendance including tuition, housing, books, and living expenses for about 40–50 students annually over the course of 30 years.
- Students from the second cohort of recipients shared the impact the scholarship has had on their first year at UC Santa Cruz.
Isa Gonzalez (Stevenson ’29, literature and education) visited the University of California, Santa Cruz, in 2024 while finishing high school in the small town of Bishop. He was immediately struck by the beauty of the campus and the feeling that it was a home away from home. He knew he wanted to attend the university, but as a first-generation student, the path to get there felt uncertain.
When he received his letter of acceptance, Gonzalez was also notified that he had been awarded the Sabatte Family Scholarship, a full-ride scholarship covering the complete cost of his education including tuition, housing, books, and living expenses for the next four years.
“I knew that all my hard work had paid off,” Gonzalez said. “My grandma encouraged me to go to college and was the one who taught me everything I know. When I was accepted and received the [scholarship], my grandma and my family were so proud of me.”
The Sabatte Family Scholarship was made possible through the generous support of alumnus Richard “Rick” Sabatte, who established the scholarship as part of his will. The university announced his $22.3 million gift in September 2024.
“This scholarship meant so much to my uncle,” said Jonathan Westen, Sabatte’s nephew and estate trustee, in a 2025 article. “He wanted to help people and provide a different pathway forward.”
At the end of May, the second-ever cohort of Sabatte Scholars gathered at the UC Santa Cruz Arboretum in celebration of their first completed year at the university. Three students including Gonzalez stood to share their gratitude for the Sabatte Family Scholarship.
For Gonzalez, being a Sabatte Scholar means he can focus on his studies and passions without the added stress of financial concerns. As a double major in education and literature, he plans to become a teacher and hopes to one day write a book.
“I would like to thank the Sabatte family, and I would like to thank the university for this wonderful opportunity,” Gonzalez said.
Emily Rosas (Rachel Carson ’29, film and digital media) has always seen UC Santa Cruz as her dream school. She is currently pursuing a degree in film and digital media with a minor in education.
“I am a daughter of two amazing parents that gave up their dreams so me and my sisters could pursue college,” Rosas said. “The opportunity that presented itself when I was awarded this scholarship was irresistible.”
As the first person in her family to leave Los Angeles and pursue a college degree, Rosas is determined to find her place in the world. Her goal is to one day work in the media with a focus on women in sports.
“The [Sabatte] Scholarship has truly pushed me beyond my limits, and I will forever be grateful for this opportunity,” Rosas said.
Camila Zuniga (College Nine ’29, psychology and legal studies) and her sisters were encouraged by their parents to follow their dreams and pursue a college education. As the first in her family to go to college, she said that the Sabatte Scholarship helped make that possible.
“I plan to major in both [psychology and legal studies] for these next four years, and I know it’s going to be a challenge, but I am incredibly grateful that I get to completely focus [on] and ground myself [in] my education instead of needing to worry about how I’m going to be able to pay for it,” Zuniga said.
The Sabatte Family Scholarship will be awarded to about 40–50 students annually over the course of 30 years, after which the scholarship funds will have been expended, as requested by the donor. Students will be automatically considered based on their admissions and financial aid applications; UC Santa Cruz recently notified the next group of prospective students that they have been selected to receive the scholarship.
Richard Sabatte’s gift will ultimately boost the trajectories of more than a thousand high-achieving students.