Giving Opportunities

Give to Earth Science

Gifts of support for the Department of Earth Science at UCSB are deeply appreciated. You may give an unrestricted gift or direct how the money is used. If you’d like to help, please consider one of our many giving opportunities. Many employers provide matching contributions -- some up to a three-to-one match! Please check with your employer if you are unsure.

Your generosity will ensure a robust future for undergraduate and graduate students in Earth Science.

Giving Priorities

Unrestricted Funds

Unrestricted gifts are used for the highest priority needs. This flexibility allows the Department to direct this funding where it is needed most at any given time, supporting all aspects of the Earth Science Department. Some examples of this are: 

• teaching materials or equipment for lab spaces
• field equipment supplies
• support of student research
• bringing distinguished alumni to the Department for the benefit of the students and faculty
• equip workshops with the necessary equipment to support student and faculty in their research

Distinguished Lecturer Fund

The Earth Science Distinguished Lecturer Fund supports the invitation of colloquium speakers of excellence each year to give a keynote lecture to the Department of Earth Science undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. Speakers are selected for their exemplary science, inspirational communication, and contributions to diversity in the Earth Sciences.

Award Funds

Arthur G. Sylvester Summer Field Fund

The Arthur G. Sylvester Summer Field fund has been established in honor of Professor Emeritus Arthur G. Sylvester. Professor Emeritus Art Sylvester was a guiding presence in the Department of Earth Science for over 50 years. He inspired thousands of students through his passion for field studies. Gifts to the Arthur G. Sylvester Summer Field Fund support the field studies program and help to reduce the cost of summer field geology for all students.

Graduate Program Fund

General support of the department graduate program including but not limited to research expenses, travel, conference expenses. 

Robert W. Webb Fund

Established in memory of Emeritus Professor Robert Webb and used to help with field costs for our undergraduate students. 

Outstanding Senior Award

Recognizes demonstrated academic excellence in Upper Division Earth Science courses at UCSB. The recipient is known among their peers as the enviable person who demolishes a class curve, solves tricky problems before anyone else, or asks questions that strike at the very heart of the subject. In short, the person is “Outstanding.”

Robert Norris Brunton Awards

Established by emeriti professors Art Sylvester and John Crowell to honor Bob Norris who taught generations of undergraduates how to make geologic maps, cross sections, and strat columns. The prize is presented annually to the undergraduate who most distinguishes themselves (in the eyes of the professor) in Geology 104A—our introductory field methods course, which we teach twice a year. They each receive a personalized, top-of-the-line Brunton, as well as a copy of the book Roadside Geology of Southern California, written by Art Sylvester, legendary professor who taught 104A for years, and by Libby Gans, one of our department alums.

R.V. Fisher Scholarship in Volcanology

Honors a distinguished professor of volcanology who was a member of the department for nearly half a century.  It is given annually to a talented and deserving graduate student engaged in volcanological research. This year the R. V. Fisher Scholarship, which includes a cash award and one of RV’s books.

Geophysics Award

Given to an outstanding student in any field of geophysics, is funded by departmental faculty, alumni and friends.

Douglas Woodhouse Award

 Awarded to the graduating senior who carries that heavy load of “most likely to succeed”. The Woodhouse awardee has demonstrated both intellectual aptitude and “can do” attitude in pursuit of their undergraduate degree in Earth Science—with the promise of extending their professional career. The Woodhouse Award includes a cash award, a jade pendant, and their name engraved on the perpetual plaque.

Field Instruction Fund

Supports all aspects of the field program as needed. 

Global Field Travel Fund

Created by Professor Emerita Tanya Atwater to support travel by undergraduate and graduate students in Earth Science to field sites outside the southwestern US. The fund is intended to support travel to new areas – ones not previously visited by the student.

William Bushnell Scholarship

Bill Bushnell was a UCSB graduate, a long-time staff member in the department, and a beloved driving force behind our field program. A scholarship was established in Bill’s honor by his family in the early 1990s. Awarded to an outstanding undergraduate field geologist, the award includes a Hawaiian style shirt!

Preston Cloud Memorial Fund

Established in memory of Preston Cloud, Professor Emeritus of Earth Science. UCSB’s Preston Cloud Research Laboratory was named in 1981 for his significant impact on the geological sciences. A special volume of The American Journal of Science was dedicated to him in October 1990 in tribute to his exemplary lifetime in science. Awards to students to be used to encourage and assist graduate students to attend an annual, national (or other major) meeting of such organizations as the Geological Society of America, American Geophysical Union, Association of American Petroleum Geologists, etc.

G.K. Gilbert Award

Established by Preston Cloud, a professor of biogeology here from 1965 until his retirement in 1974–and for whom the Cloud Laboratory is named–  is given to the graduate students who gave the best presentation at the department Colloquium during the past year. It is decided by a committee comprising both faculty and students

Harry Glicken Memorial Fellowship

Harry Glicken was a volcanology graduate student in our department in the 80’s, under the supervision of RV Fisher, the faculty member whose award we just spoke about. There is a plaque in our department, in the stairway just outside this room, honoring Harry, who was killed in an eruption of Mt. Unzen, Japan, on June 3, 1991, thirty two years ago last week. This award is given to an outstanding doctoral candidate who is pursuing research related to volcanic processes.

Graduate Student Opportunity Fund

Generously funded by Rachel Haymon and Ken Macdonald, broadly supports the graduate program in Earth Science, with the primary goal being strengthening the graduate program. In the past, students have used this award to support their own self-generated research projects that may or may not be related to their main thesis topic, among other opportunities.

John C. Crowell Memorial Fund

Established through a bequest from Dr. John C. Crowell, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Earth Science. Used to support a periodic visiting lecturer or scholar, or a field conference, or a combination of both. The distinguished scholar will give public and student lectures and interactions with this individual will be designed to maximize the intellectual impact of his/her visit, especially on students and young researchers

Lloyd and Mary Edwards Field Studies Fellowship

Supports the field studies research of one promising graduate student in the Department based on considerations of financial need and academic potential, perhaps not yet realized.

Distinguished Lecturer Fund

The Earth Science Distinguished Lecturer Fund supports the invitation of colloquium speakers of excellence each year to give a keynote lecture to the Department of Earth Science undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty. Speakers are selected for their exemplary science, inspirational communication, and contributions to diversity in the Earth Sciences.

Alex Johnson Memorial Fund

Honors former graduate student Dr. Alex Johnson, who passed away in July 2020, in his third year at UCSB.  In his too-short career, Alex  made a considerable impact both in his research area as well as through his inspired teaching and dedicated mentoring of undergraduates. We honor him by recognizing a graduate student who, in his footsteps, has demonstrated excellence in undergraduate teaching and/or mentoring

George Tunell Memorial Fellowship

The George Tunell Fellowship, honoring a faculty member from the early years of our department, is awarded to a graduate student with a special interest in Economic Geology, Mineralogy, Crystallography, Geochemistry or Petrology.

Wendell Woodring Memorial Graduate Fellowship

Honoring a paleontologist and Penrose Medal winner, is awarded to a graduate student working on a thesis proposal of the highest merit and who is judged “capable of seeing it to a distinguished and early conclusion.”

Tanya Atwater Endowed Scholarship

Founded and funded by distinguished alumna Melissa Reish and named after Professor Emerita Tanya Atwater. Tanya, was a key player in the plate tectonic revolution, credited for applying– at the time–these new ideas to understand the geologic history of western North America. She has been given numerous awards over the years, most notably the Wollaston Medal from the geological society of London – considered among the highest honor in geology. Other awardees include William Smith, Charles Lyell, and Charles Darwin. This award ensures UCSB undergraduate students have the financial support they need to continue their path toward an Earth Science degree.

The Peggie Dearth Wormington Field Studies Award

Created by UCSB Alum Peggie Dearth Wormington, recognizes and celebrates the achievements of students, graduates or undergraduates, who show distinction in their field research in Earth Science. In 1966, Peggy was the first member of her family to graduate with a college degree. So, she takes particular pleasure in supporting women and first generation students.

The Clifford Hopson and William Wise Award

Alumni Greg Moore, along with his wife Susan, established this award to honor two of his influential professors while he was an undergraduate here. Greg went on to a distinguished career as a professor at the University of Hawai’i. This award honors a student who has demonstrated excellence in field geology research

The Archuleta Family Award

Established by Professor Emeritus Ralph Archuleta and his family, to support graduate research in Geophysics especially in the area of seismology.