Member Stories
With help from Berkeley Loyal members, UC Berkeley can continue to be a beacon for students, faculty, and research. Learn more about what drives these donors to consistently give to Berkeley.
Jesse Gil ’19
His last name aside, Jesse Gil has always been fascinated with marine life. He grew up near the ocean, recalls the first time he dissected a fish in third grade, and dipped his toe in other subjects before diving into the biological and marine sciences. “The science path is for me,” Jesse says.
Charlene Chen M.B.A. ’09
Charlene Chen grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, but her experiences more than 2,700 miles away in an almost perfect westward line changed her life trajectory. “My two years at Berkeley Haas were two of the best of my life,” Charlene says.
Gary R. Kilpatric ’65
Gary R. Kilpatric says Berkeley is and always will be part of his identity. “Cal shaped my life in so many ways,” Gary reflects.
Adrienne ’86, M.B.A. ’94 and Warren ’87, M.B.A. ’91 Hogg
Like so many other Cal alums, Adrienne and Warren Hogg treasure the memories of their years on campus: for Adrienne, people watching on Sproul Plaza and studying outside near the Campanile; for Warren, participating in Black Engineering and Science Student Association events and all-night computer programming sessions in the basement of Evans Hall.
Anne Grafft Stewart ’56
Anne Grafft Stewart followed in her brother’s footsteps by deciding to go to Cal and ended up starting a legacy of Cal alums in her family. Those initial steps belong to William D. Grafft ’51 M.A. ’59. “My husband’s son went to Cal. My granddaughter went to Cal. We have grandnieces and nephews who went to Cal. I guess Bill and I started something,” Anne says.
Hugh ’53, ’58 and Aletha Silcox
You could say the Silcoxes are Berkeley strong. The couple has been giving to UC Berkeley for more than 60 years. “Cal needs our help to achieve its mission,” Hugh says. “I got a top-notch education, and we want to help other deserving students benefit from all that the university offers.”