Sabatte Family Gift to Provide Scholarships for UC Santa Cruz for Undergraduates

Article By Christy Tall via UCSC Newscenter

UC Santa Cruz proudly announces the establishment of the Sabatte Family Scholarship. The campus has been notified that it is the beneficiary of approximately $20 million as a term endowment, $13 million of which already has been received. The donation—the single largest monetary gift the university has ever received—will boost the trajectories of hundreds of high-achieving students with demonstrated financial need, empowering them to pursue their ambitions, excel in their studies, and contribute to their communities without the weight of financial strain.

The late Richard “Rick” Sabatte, an alumnus, established the scholarship as part of his estate. The undergraduate scholarship will cover the total cost of attending UC Santa Cruz including tuition, room and board, books, and living expenses. Students are automatically considered based on their admissions and financial aid applications. UC Santa Cruz expects around 30-50 students to become Sabatte Family Scholars annually for the next 30 years, after which the scholarship funds will have been expended, as requested by the donor.

“This remarkable gift will be transformative for our students,” said Chancellor Cynthia Larive. “What a remarkable legacy Richard Sabatte leaves with this gift. To entrust us with these resources, and to target this particular group of students, is a profound act of generosity. We are extremely grateful Richard chose his alma mater to fulfill his vision.”

The scholarship is already transforming the academic experiences of more than 40 first-year students at UC Santa Cruz. This first cohort of Sabatte Family Scholars is a diverse group of students from across California, all of whom are first in their families to attend college. Together, they are aspiring scientists and makers, artists and creators, justice seekers and innovators, changemakers, and leaders.

“This gift reflects Rick’s belief that everyone has a unique story and unique passions that drive them,” said Sabatte’s nephew, Jonathan Westen. “He wanted talented and creative students to be able to pursue their passions without worrying about how to pay the bills.”

According to Westen, Sabatte was a lifelong learner, creative and curious. He said that Sabatte loved UC Santa Cruz and enjoyed his time at the university, studying and surfing side by side.

“It was a place where he explored new ideas and I’m sure he would be thrilled that so many students, as a result of his gift, will get to experience the creative incubator that UCSC is,” Westen said.

Westen shared that Sabatte appreciated California’s immigrant diversity and the challenges that many first and second-generation families face. Sabatte’s parents, Frank and Marie Sabatte, were first-generation Americans from France and Germany. Rick’s paternal grandfather started a small dairy in the East Bay that Frank and his five brothers developed into the thriving Berkeley Farms dairy business. Westen said that Sabatte appreciated the spirit of people putting in hard work to achieve their goals, and said Sabatte wanted to be a helping hand to the next generation. 

“Learning about this incredible gift to campus for California students — students who have achieved so much within the context of their opportunities — it brought tears to my eyes,” said Michelle Whittingham, Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management. “This gift will positively impact not only the students but their families, their communities, and our campus itself.”

Whittingham oversees the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office which will help administer the scholarship: “We will fully honor Mr. Sabatte’s vision and forever share his passion for making a difference in the lives of others.”

The Sabatte Family Scholarship will help propel UC Santa Cruz forward as it advances its mission of research excellence and providing students with an unparalleled education and experience. As one of only five universities in the prestigious 71-member Association of American Universities (AAU) designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and as an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), the university is committed to educational access and student success. UCSC is ranked first in the nation for racial and gender diversity in leadership, 16th for social mobility, and in the top 20 among national public universities for excellence in undergraduate teaching.