CEE Professor Emeritus David Jenkins and his wife Joan Jenkins have endowed a fund to help the best undergraduates do research in CEE regardless of their economic circumstances.
The "David and Joan Jenkins Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program Fund" will support students enrolled in CEE's Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). Launched in 2013, UROP offers its top freshman admits a $4K stipend and the chance to participate in a multi-year program that culminates in joining a faculty member's research team.
"This generous gift by David and Joan Jenkins will greatly increase our ability to sustain the UROP program financially. I am very grateful to them for supporting our most important new initiative for undergraduate student education, " says CEE Chair Samer Madanat.
David and Joan have both been associated with UC Berkeley for over 50 years. David was a faculty member in the CEE Environmental Engineering program which included a 7-year term managing the Sanitary Engineering Research laboratory (now the Berkeley Water Center). Joan is a former staff member in 2 Berkeley libraries, Engineering and Earth Sciences.
David Jenkins is a member of the National Academy of Engineering and a recipient of the Global Water Award from the International Water Association. In 1999 he was awarded the Berkeley Citation, presented to an eminent member of UC Berkeley whose attainments significantly exceed the standards of excellence in his/her fields and whose contributions to Berkeley are manifestly above and beyond the call of duty.
Throughout their careers at Berkeley, David and Joan were greatly interested in the welfare of students at all levels. It is their desire that Berkeley attract the best and brightest students, regardless of family background and economic circumstances.
"We chose to support the UROP because we believe that, at a research university, engagement in research should be a part of undergraduate education. Furthermore, this type of activity allows the faculty to identify students with the enthusiasm and talent to pursue research at a more advanced level, " says David.
When asked to sum up the spirit of their gift, the Jenkins' responded,
“Get ‘em young!”
If you are interested in adding a donation to the Jenkins' endowment, please contact Michelle Leighton in COE's Major Gifts & Strategic Initiatives at msleighton@berkeley.edu or 510-643-6985.