Dean Fiona Doyle (center, pearl necklace) pictured with students.
Doctoral students drive their own discoveries, catalyze faculty-led research, and inspire and mentor undergraduates. We know that fostering their talent yields incredible results.
To support our outstanding graduate students — while countering downsized state support, the high cost of living, and stiff competition from our private peers — Berkeley launched a program in August with the potential to significantly raise both the number and amount of fellowships we can offer. Berkeley Endowments to Attract and Retain Graduate Students (BEAR GradS) aims to create $1 million fellowship endowments by pairing private gifts of $500,000 with $500,000 in matching funds. The first five matches were made possible through the bequest of Helene I. Cantor ’35.
Establishing a fellowship was an easy way for Li-chiang Chu ’64, M.S. ’67 to say thank you for an education that enabled a satisfying career.
“We are thrilled that visionary donors have stepped up to seize this opportunity in only a few months,” says Fiona Doyle, the new dean of the Graduate Division. “It can truly pay forward the benefits of a doctoral education to new generations of students.”
Efforts are underway to expand the matching opportunities in 2016.
Li-chiang Chu ’64, M.S. ’67, who studied nutritional sciences as a master’s student, established the first BEAR GradS fellowship for the College of Natural Resources.
“It was an easy way for me to say thank you for an education that enabled an interesting and satisfying career,” says Chu, a solid supporter and UC Berkeley Foundation trustee.
“Berkeley in some magical way allows our students to be more than they would have been had they attended another university,” says Doyle.
To learn more about BEAR GradS, email gradsupport@berkeley.edu.
