Author: Haneen Zain
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CEJA at UC Santa Cruz: Preparing alumni for academic and community impact
Alumni Desiree Ryan (Ph.D. ’24, psychology), David Amaral (Ph.D. ’22, politics), Melina Singh (Ph.D. ‘23, psychology), and Rosalie Lansing (Rachel Carson ’24, sociology) share their experiences with the Center for Economic Justice and Action and how it prepared them to be successful in their careers.
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Thirty years of investing in communities: Alumna Shannon Lawder on language, philanthropy, and following your passion
UC Santa Cruz alumna Shannon Lawder (Kresge ’91, Russian studies) is the director of the Civil Society Program at the Mott Foundation. The Mott Foundation has supported communities worldwide for 100 years, and Lawder has been part of that mission for 31 years.
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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.
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Creativity and community: Student Rebecca Oregel shares impact of scholarship support on her UCSC journey
As the recipient of the Alumni Association Scholarship and Eric Thomas Memorial Award, Rebecca Oregel reflects on how that support has fueled her journey as a first-generation student, artist, and community leader at UC Santa Cruz.
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Investing in the future: UCSC retirees Edward and Miriam Landesman champion excellence in teaching and research
UC Santa Cruz retirees Ed and Miriam Landesman continue to support the university philanthropically, investing in areas close to their hearts like Cal Teach and the Emeriti Association, and expanding accessibility to excellence in teaching and research through the Landesman Lectures. Ed worked at UC Santa Cruz for 28 years before retiring in 1994, and…
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The 2026 Science Division Distinguished Alumni Award recipients
Gregory Reyes (Kresge ’76, biology), Larry de Ghetaldi (Merrill ’76, biology and chemistry), and Nicholas Suntzeff (Ph.D. ’80, astronomy) are recognized for careers of exceptional distinction in biomedical research, healthcare policy, and observational cosmology.
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A path shaped by passion: Alumnus David Gleason’s lifelong dedication to Russian studies and supporting the Humanities
UC Santa Cruz alumnus David Gleason supports the university through charitable gift annuities. His philanthropic support of UC Santa Cruz is rooted in a deep gratitude for how his time there shaped the path that followed—working for Apple in the Soviet Union at one of the most pivotal moments in modern history.
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Spring Give 2026: A look at the impact
Whether raising funds for rental space, team uniforms, travel costs, or printing costs, the Spring Give directly supports students, allowing them to fundraise for resources specific to their teams and organizations.
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Alumni Reunion Weekend 2026: Celebrating the Class of ’76
UC Santa Cruz’s Alumni Reunion Weekend brought Banana Slugs back to the redwoods for a weekend of celebration.
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Alumna and Anthropic co-founder Daniela Amodei and civil-rights activist Dolores Huerta named in Time’s 100 Most Influential People of 2026
Daniela Amodei graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2009 with a B.A. in literature and a minor in politics. In 2022, UCSC’s Research Center for the Americas was renamed in honor of social justice icon Dolores Huerta; the university continues to collaborate with the Dolores Huerta Foundation.
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Acclaimed astrophysicist and electric slam poet blend science and storytelling
Slam poet Jasmine Schlafke and UC Santa Cruz professor Enrico Ramirez-Ruiz blend science, poetry and storytelling to explore our deepest origins and shared humanity at the second annual Landesman Lecture on April 28.
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Making ethics accessible
Alumnus Tim Shannon (Cowell ’71, history) has philanthropically supported the Humanities at UC Santa Cruz for 15 years. His support of the Norcal Regional Highschool Ethics Bowl, hosted annually at UC Santa Cruz, has opened doors for public schools across the region.