Sr. Chief Ronald G. Gamboa Endowed UW Bothell STEM Faculty Fellowship University of Washington Bothell
I believe that someone's path in life can change in a moment, all it takes is a person or an experience that influences that person and gives them a spark of inspiration. This is why I endowed the Sr. Chief Ronald G. Gamboa Endowed UW Bothell STEM Faculty Fellowship. This endowment will provide the UW Bothell School of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) faculty with extra funds to help them provide more ways to influence and spark inspiration in their students.
The Sr. Chief Ronald G. Gamboa Endowed UW Bothell STEM Faculty Fellowship is intended to recognize faculty members who serve as exemplars in undergraduate research mentorship. Fellows will be selected based on their demonstrated success creating supportive environments for students to flourish, preparing students to disseminate research results, broadening participation of students from underserved communities, and inspiring the next generation of UW Bothell STEM graduates to make a positive impact in their broader community and the world.
Who is Sr. Chief Ronald G. Gamboa? Sr. Chief Ronald G. Gamboa is my father. He met my mother and emigrated from Bacolod, Philippines to O'ahu, Hawai'i with one small suitcase. He soon enlisted in the US Navy solidifying his US Citizenship. Shortly before he left for basic training, I was born and he and my mother raised myself and my two younger siblings in adventures in various countries. He proudly served in the US Navy for 27 years retiring as a Sr. Chief (E-8) on the day of his death, February 16th, 2000, after losing a battle with cancer, just a couple months before his 48th birthday. He loved learning about new technology and even though he cut short his pursuit of an engineering degree when he moved to the United States, he continued to value education and always encouraged and supported my siblings and I in the pursuit of our goals. My dad is the most influential person in my life. He gave me that spark of inspiration to grow and succeed and was unwavering in the belief that I can accomplish anything I want to accomplish if I "do the research and put in the work". I watched him mentor and practice teaching and raising up others around him throughout his life, and I built my philosophy of doing the same throughout mine. This endowment is an extension of the lessons he instilled in me.
How is this endowment established? I am working with a wonderful team at UW Bothell. This was started with Elaine Scott, the former Dean of the UW Bothell School of STEM and is continuing with Leslie Cornick, Dean of UW Bothell School of STEM (as of 2020). I have committed to donating $100K over 5 years to establish this endowment. Additionally, with the timing of this commitment, this endowment will also receive an additional $50K from another UW Bothell grant bringing the endowment to $150,000.
How can you help? As soon as the endowment reaches $100K, the faculty of UW Bothell's School of STEM can start receiving grants. You can help by adding to the endowment and getting us to $100K faster. Your donation will add to the overall fund amount and doesn't change my commitment so it results in more for the faculty and, yes, your donation is tax deductible. Thank you so much for your consideration.
So, how do you donate? Click on the button below, and if you work for a company that offers to match your charity giving dollars, don't forget to submit for a match! When requesting a match, the tax EIN # is 94-3079432 and the cause will come up as "University of Washington Foundation" in a search. Please add a memo or note that says "Sr. Chief Ronald G. Gamboa Endowed UW Bothell STEM Faculty Fellowship" to help the Foundation direct your funds. Read more details here: https://www.washington.edu/giving/questions/faq/.
How can you set up an endowment? Is this something you'd like to do, but you don't think you can or you don't know where to start? Let's talk. It doesn't have to be a UW Bothell endowment. This was a dream I've had for a very long time and I thought it wouldn't happen anytime soon, but there are ways to make it happen...yes, even without being born with a trust fund, winning the lottery, or inheriting from a relative. Here's some information to inspire you.
Let me help enable you to go forth and do good so you can enable others to go forth and do good...and so on...and so on...
Education changes lives.
“My father’s life is a testament to that basic American promise that no matter who you are or how you started out, if you work hard you can build a decent life for yourself and an even better life for your kids.” - Michelle Obama, Becoming
Update: The first recipient has been selected and awarded for the UW Bothell 2024-2025 academic year.