Stephan and I met in 1989 as undergraduates at UC Berkeley’s Social Sciences Division, just before the destructive Loma Prieta earthquake struck. It’s an easy anniversary to remember.
He was a political science major, and I was studying history. Stephan had plans to attend law school, but I was uncertain about my path after graduation. People often asked me, "What will you do with a history degree?" Back then, it seemed like people assumed history majors could only go into teaching.
Our time at Cal reshaped our lives in countless ways, and it’s why we give back to the University. As first-generation Cal graduates, Stephan and I believe strongly in the transformative power of public education. Attending UC Berkeley offered us immense opportunities. First, as a public institution, it was financially accessible with the help of work experience and scholarships. Second, being part of a large university helped us find a place where we belonged. And finally, Berkeley’s diverse student body exposed us to a rich tapestry of ideas and beliefs.
Today, supporting Cal feels like passing on that same chance for discovery and growth to others. Our commitment to Berkeley Social Sciences has deepened over the years, especially since our own children (Thomas and Julia) graduated from Cal as well—making us a family of four proud alumni. Though they have different interests, they both found a home at Berkeley, just as we did. They, too, chose Letters & Sciences and Social Sciences majors, which makes our family’s connection to Cal especially meaningful.
Our family has had unique experiences at Cal. For example, Stephan tells the story of working in the Morrison Library and feeling unnerved by all the stories he heard that it was haunted. I will never forget writing my history thesis and having the privilege of working with original source documents. Thomas was a captain of his esports team, and is now working at Cal in research administration. Julia was the youngest and first female principal of the UC Berkeley Formula SAE racing team, which is similar to Formula 1, but for college students. She now works for Lucid Motors, the luxury electric vehicle company. These memorable experiences happened for us because there is a place for everyone at Cal.
After graduation, Stephan followed his plan and attended law school and practiced for about a decade. But his true passion was cartooning, a hobby he’d nurtured since his college days. It took courage for us to decide that he should leave his law firm and pursue his dream of being a cartoonist. The risk paid off—today, Stephan is a syndicated cartoonist and a New York Times best-selling author.
As for me, I landed a great job as a buyer with a Fortune 500 company. Not all history majors go into teaching, after all. The research and writing skills I gained as a history major set me up for success in the corporate world. But 10 years later, I felt a calling to return to my roots. I transitioned to working with our local historical society and eventually a museum, roles where my history background was invaluable. I’ve also volunteered to co-chair the UC Berkeley Women in Leadership Circle, North Bay because volunteering to help the Cal community succeed is important to me and my family.
Both Stephan and I made big career changes mid-way through our lives, and we credit our Social Sciences education for giving us the flexibility to pursue our dreams. We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity UC Berkeley provided, and giving back is our way of helping others experience the same educational freedom.
Over the years, we’ve supported many departments in the Social Sciences and Letters & Science. Each gift, no matter the size, is a way to express our gratitude for the education we received and to invest in Cal’s future. By giving, we’re not just honoring our past but also fueling dreams for future generations.
History Alumna Staci Pastis is a board member of the Museum of Sonoma County, president of the Cal Alumni Club of Sonoma County and a member of the Haas Alumni North Bay Network Board.
