To honor his parents and show his appreciation for the education he received, Classics alumnus, James Draznin established an endowment in classical studies at UCSC.
The gift of $10,000 was donated by James Draznin, who graduated from UCSC in 1977 with degrees in classics and politics. His gift has established the Sol and Esther Draznin Memorial Scholarship in Classical Studies, which provides one undergraduate student each year with a $1,000 scholarship.
Students are selected through faculty nominations based on outstanding and distinctive scholarship.
Draznin, who is a charitable gift planner at the Oregon Community Foundation, says he decided to create the scholarship for several reasons. "The education I received at UCSC was exceptional and I want to help make that opportunity available for other students. I also want to honor my parents, who were big believers in the importance of a college education." Draznin also would like this award to encourage more students to study the classics.
Award recipient David Jacobson (2006) noted that he chose to major in classics largely because of the faculty in that discipline. "The faculty are extremely committed to their students and do everything they can to answer my questions and encourage independent thinking," he said. "Classics at UCSC, to me, is best summed up by Cowell College's motto: 'The pursuit of truth in the company of friends.'"
"James was an outstanding student and it's wonderful to see him supporting other students with such potential," says Mary-Kay Gamel, a professor emerita of classics and comparative literature who taught both Draznin and Jacobson. "His gift has such a positive impact on the program and will make a difference in perpetuity. I hope other alumni will be inspired by James's generosity."
