Empowering Future Engineers: The Thomas P. and Joan F. Barrera Endowed Fellowship in Chemical Engineering at UCSB
- Dr. Tom Barrera
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
Philanthropy is a powerful tool for shaping the future by creating opportunities, fostering innovation, and making a substantial impact on communities. It goes beyond financial donations, encompassing the commitment of time, resources, and support to important causes. Tom and Joan Barrera understand this deeply, and their ongoing commitment to giving back is evident in their consistent support of education, particularly in the field of chemical engineering.
A major philanthropic initiative they have undertaken is the Thomas P. and Joan F. Barrera Endowed Fellowship in Chemical Engineering, founded in 2024 at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). This fellowship aims to support graduate students within the UCSB Department of Chemical Engineering, concentrating on research areas like clean energy, chemical process electrification, and electrochemical engineering—key fields for promoting sustainability and technological advancement.
The Barreras’ Lifelong Commitment to Giving Back
Philanthropy has consistently been a priority for the Barrera family. Whether it's volunteering at local church events, aiding animal rescue organizations, or donating blood to assist those in need, Tom and Joan have continually shown their commitment to enhancing the lives of others. However, one of the most significant ways they have contributed is by supporting higher education.
Tom and Joan have been strong supporters of offering educational opportunities to students, especially those lacking the financial resources to seek higher education. They hold the belief that education is a crucial tool for disrupting the cycle of poverty and fostering a brighter future, benefiting both individuals and society as a whole. The Barrera Endowed Fellowship in Chemical Engineering embodies this dedication—a means to assist the upcoming generation of engineers and innovators who will transform the world in unimaginable ways.
The Thomas P. and Joan F. Barrera Endowed Fellowship
The Barrera Endowed Fellowship was created to support graduate students in chemical engineering who are engaged in pioneering research in areas related to sustainability and technological progress. The fellowship emphasizes fields such as clean energy and electrochemical engineering, reflecting Dr. Barrera's career at prestigious organizations like The Boeing Company, The Aerospace Corporation, and NASA. These fields are at the cutting edge of scientific discovery and offer significant potential for tackling some of the world's most urgent challenges, from climate change to energy efficiency.
The Fund was created with a generous donation of $120,000 from Thomas Barrera. Additional contributions from the donors and others may increase the fund over time. Furthermore, Tom intends to request a $15,000 matching gift from The Boeing Co. to provide further support for this fellowship fund.
The fellowship is especially impactful because it offers financial assistance to students who might not be able to explore these specialized fields due to monetary limitations. This assistance ensures that talented scholars have access to necessary resources for success, such as research funding, mentorship opportunities, and the freedom to concentrate on their studies without the pressure of financial worries.
A central aspect of the fellowship's mission is its emphasis on aiding economically disadvantaged students. By giving precedence to students from underrepresented backgrounds, the fellowship works to create equal opportunities, enabling all students, irrespective of their financial circumstances, to engage in pioneering research and leave a significant mark in their field.
The Barreras’ Vision for the Future
Although the fellowship is a significant aspect of the Barreras' legacy at UCSB, it is not their sole contribution. In 2014, Tom Barrera generously donated to establish the Robert G. Rinker Chemical Engineering Teaching Laboratory at UCSB, which was inaugurated in 2020. This laboratory provides a cutting-edge learning environment for undergraduate chemical engineering students.
The laboratory was created to give students practical experience in designing and building experiments that strengthen their understanding of chemical engineering principles. It enables students to use modern, automated equipment, connecting theoretical knowledge with real-world applications. Additionally, the lab acts as a center for innovation, allowing students to hone practical skills and address complex challenges they will encounter in their professional careers.
Due to Tom’s donation and the matching gift support from The Boeing Company, the Robert G. Rinker Chemical Engineering Teaching Laboratory has become one of the leading undergraduate teaching labs in the nation. It offers a versatile, practical space that progresses with the field of chemical engineering, guaranteeing that students are consistently ready for future challenges.
The Ripple Effect of Education and Giving
The Barreras' philanthropic contributions have generated a ripple effect reaching well beyond the students who directly receive their gifts. By funding graduate fellowships and state-of-the-art teaching labs, the Barreras are not merely aiding individual students—they are investing in the future of science and engineering. These students will eventually make significant impacts in academia, industry, government, and other fields, fostering innovation and developing solutions that have the potential to transform the world.
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