IRVINE : Firm Pledges Money for UCI Graduates

An Irvine computer products firm has pledged $250,000 to support four graduate fellows at UC Irvine, bringing the university’s private fellowship fund to nearly $1 million since July.

The grant by Western Digital, one of the largest in UCI history, will pay for two two-year positions in electrical and computer engineering in 1990 and two more in 1991, university officials said.

The pledge is aimed at fostering research that would enable millions of microelectronic components to be combined onto a single silicon chip.

“Graduate fellowships are the most effective means for universities to attract and support bright young scholars who will be tomorrow’s leaders in education, science and industry,” said Roger Johnson, Western Digital chief executive officer who serves as chairman of the UCI Foundation.

“With this pledge, our company is continuing its commitment to help reverse the national decline in graduate student enrollment, a decline that threatens American business and every other aspect of our society,” he said.

Reaching the $1-million mark this fiscal year for fellowships alone is “an important milestone” in the university’s $200-million capital campaign, UCI officials said.

Since the capital campaign was launched 18 months ago among private donors, foundations, alumni and others, UCI has raised about $50 million, said John Miltner, UCI’s vice chancellor for university advancement.

“My hope is that amount will be over $60 million by June 30,” Miltner said.

The capital campaign, expected to enter a public phase some time in 1991, aims to raise money for future research, scholarships and fellowships, as well as endowed chairs to attract and promote the highest caliber scholars.

As campus officials examined future needs in anticipation of the drive, the one area consistently cited by faculty members was increasing support for graduate fellowships, university spokesman Scott Nelson said.

The Western Digital fellowships will make possible a stipend of $18,000 each, as well as cover tuition, fees and $3,000 for research expenses.