2004 Newsletter

Dear Contributors,

Now there are nineteen students who have received a Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship award for study abroad since 1997. On behalf of all of us involved in the project, our thanks to you whose generosity has helped to enable this group of young people to broaden their horizons by living and studying in international situations. The newest recipients are “at home” now in China, Japan and Scotland, each with travel tales and exciting experiences to relate. A web site has been created for the Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship Fund, accessible in this location: CBMSF Home Page. We will endeavor to keep it updated as much as possible, but with the high mobility of this group that is not an easy task!

Achim Lyon, a third year student in Cognitive Science with a minor in Chinese Studies, left for Beijing in June to participate in an intensive language program over the summer. Now he is studying at Peking University, taking classes in reading, writing, oral Chinese and classical Chinese poetry. “All have proven to be extremely challenging,” writes Achim, “but that is a small price to pay for the opportunity to engage in such a richly international classroom environment.” During the summer-fall break he traveled by train to Wuhan, Chongqing (with a side trip to view the Three Gorges by boat), Kunming and Shanghai. In addition to sightseeing, Achim was the first member of his family to visit his sister-in-law’s parents in Yunnan province. He writes fascinating and insightful accounts about ordinary and extraordinary events in his daily life in China. To catch the full flavor, visit http://www.xanga.com/Achim.

Henrick Shyu is a fourth year Computer Science major with an intense interest in all things Japanese. While studying Engineering at the University of Tokyo he hopes to become fluent in Japanese and use his knowledge of the language and technology to “contribute to the bridge of cultural understanding between Japan and the U.S.” Another observation Henrick made prior to his departure was that through the hardships of living in another country, he hoped to force himself to become a more outgoing person. He is in the unusual position of having his twin brother Patrick studying in Japan at the same time, although in a different program. Henrick has commented on the extreme heat in Tokyo in August (accentuated by rather formal attire), the excitement of climbing all through the night to the summit of Mt. Fuji to view an incredible sunrise, the tame deer in Nara and the experience of being “smashed into a subway train.”

Alice Wagner is spending her third year as a Biology major at the University of Edinburgh, after a brief vacation with friends in Italy and France. She chose Edinburgh because of its unique ecosystem that will afford her opportunities for field studies not available at UC San Diego, and because of the university’s large and varied science program that may help her explore new options for her future. Alice had previously traveled abroad as a member of the California Youth Symphony and Main Street Singers. She packed her clarinets and hopes to be able to join an orchestra or choir while in Scotland. Her early impressions are of the beauty of the historic city, of a flat and green landscape, of participating in “Scotland’s second national sport: standing in a queue without making eye contact” (“If you don’t see the queue, look for one.”), and of living with flatmates from all over the world.

In early July, when Achim was already in Beijing, Alice, Henrick, Ray and Verena met at the home of Joan, Dolf and little Max in Mountain View for a pleasant afternoon. It helps to get to know each other in person, learning about and discussing matters that don’t appear in the formal application or Fund description.

Here is some news from earlier scholarship recipients. Ellen Holloway visited the Bortons before departing Davis to start Law School this fall at Boston College. Mark Morris invited Ray and Verena to his commencement exercises when he received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the San Francisco Art Institute in May. Mary Jo Velasco helped celebrate Verena’s birthday in Davis last December, graduated, and is teaching English in Lyon, France this year. Brian Israel invited Ray and Verena to his home in Sonoma for dinner within hours of returning from the UK in June. His summer was filled with internships and related activities, among them working with Serbian and Croatian youth in a Peace Leadership Camp. He is now writing his senior thesis on the reconciliation process in the ethnically segregated community of Vukovar where the camp participants live. At UCSD he is also very busy as International Affairs Group Coordinator. Jacob Habinek was able to take a graduate class in Medieval Arabic Civilization in Budapest and was amazed how much he could learn about a completely new subject in a short time. He graduated “before jet lag wore off” and is finding the job market a challenge. Julia Carter took part in graduation ceremonies last spring, but has one more quarter to go.

It is getting more difficult each year to keep in touch with everyone. This letter and additional information, as it becomes available, will be posted on the CBMSF web site, created and maintained by Dolf.

We have recently seen articles that extol the benefits of study abroad. Several U.S. colleges and universities are recommending the experience for all their students and Harvard University is reported to be considering it as a requirement. The conviction, felt so strongly by Chris, that living in a different cultural environment is an essential component of a good education, reaffirms our feeling about the significant contribution to international understanding that study abroad programs bring to everyone involved. Interestingly, since 9/11 the number of U.S. students going abroad has increased while the incoming student population from outside the U.S. has decreased.

Although the CBMS Fund was affected by the economic slow-down, it has now returned more or less to its original level and we expect to be able to send at least three students abroad each year. We thank all of you for your continued support and will keep you informed of the results through this annual newsletter.

2003 Newsletter

Dear Contributors,

And then there were four! Because one of the three scholarships we awarded in 2002 was not used, we added it to the 2003 awards and solved a near tiebreaker selection situation by helping four UC San Diego students to study abroad during the current school year, each with a $3000 Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship. This brings the total number of scholarships awarded since 1997 to sixteen. The recipients, their families and we, the board of directors, all are extremely grateful to you for your continuing support of this program that honors the memory of Chris while encouraging a sense of world citizenship among the leaders of tomorrow.

A web site has been created for the Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship Fund, accessible in this location: https://starreveld.com/CBB/. We will endeavor to keep it updated as much as possible, but with the high mobility of this group that is not an easy task!

We are pleased to introduce to you this year’s scholarship recipients:

Marisol Gutiérrez is majoring in Political Science with a minor in Spanish Literature and plans a career in Immigration Law. At UCSD she worked on the bilingual newspaper “Voz Fronteriza” and performed with the Aztec Dance Group. This year Marisol is enrolled at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in Mexico City, getting used to a different teaching style (“mostly one-on-one learning and debate with the professors”) while taking classes like Government and Public Issues and The Sociology of Indigenous Cultures in Mexico. She is trying to join UNAM’s soccer team and starting to practice Aztec dance. Besides travel to various destinations in Mexico, Marisol is enjoying life in a metropolis. “One of the things I have come to love about the city are the abundant small coffee shops and bookstores, not to mention the museums and foreign films. My book collection has started to grow, and I have no idea how I’m going to take them back to the States.” In accepting her scholarship, Marisol wrote: “As I prepare to study abroad, I carry with me the comfort of knowing that there are people like you who care about enriching a student’s experiences during college.”

With a double major in General Biology and Religion, Jacob Habinek is planning to pursue graduate studies in Religion after finishing his undergraduate degree. He will divide his year abroad between Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest, Hungary (fall 2003) and Charles University’s Center for Economic Research and Graduate Education (CERGE) in Prague, Czech Republic (spring 2004). In a recent letter, Jacob commented: “While there is little I can pursue here with regards to my Biology major, Central Europe offers a fascinating number of opportunities for the student of religion, having been a meeting place of religious traditions for nearly a thousand years and many times a model of coexistence or a flashpoint of religious conflict during that tenure.” To improve his understanding of these complex situations and developments in the formerly Communist countries, Jacob is taking Sociology, Anthropology and History classes during the fall semester, and learning Hungarian as well. The fact that his ancestors came from this part of the world gives him an added motivation to learn about the region.

Brian Israel was able to visit with Ray and Verena in Davis prior to his departure for a year at the University of Bristol School of Law in the United Kingdom. We heard first-hand about some of Brian’s many international experiences in a number of countries in Latin America and Europe, his efforts “to harness technology to shrink the distance between young people around the world” through his project called “The Internationalist,” his involvement in student government and his aspirations to practice international law. After our evening together, Brian wrote: “It is extremely refreshing to learn that others share my desire to spread opportunities for international experience, and your efforts inspire me.” Earlier he had written: “For me it is both challenging and at the same time immensely stimulating to step outside of my North American ideology and into one very different from my own to make sense of events in the world. I much prefer to view the world as a primary text rather than reading someone else’s account of it, and my travels have allowed me to do this.” Living with Portuguese and Serbian roommates will undoubtedly add new perspectives, too.

With a major in International Studies/Political Science and a minor in European Studies, Brian is now taking classes in EU Politics and European Law. Before classes began, he commented that his “academic life is going to be radically different than it is in San Diego – the style of instruction is as different as the place in which it is set.” He continued: “This year I hope to gain a lot of insight into an interest and possible research topic of mine. I am interested in the way in which many Central/Eastern European countries are having to reform their legal/economic systems to fulfill their EU aspirations and/or to attract foreign investment. I became especially interested in this during my recent trip to Belgrade, where I spoke with many international lawyers about the subject.” He hopes to follow up his research in Belgrade next summer.

Jonathan Wang‘s choice to major in Computer Science with a minor in Japanese Studies is reminiscent of Chris’ combination of science and humanities. He is aiming for a career in computer graphics and animation, artificial intelligence and sound manipulation. Jonathan is spending his year at Osaka University taking engineering classes, doing research and honing his fluency in Japanese. Living in the Foreign Student House, he is paired up with a faculty member for a research project involving virtual reality. As for other courses, Jonathan describes a situation very different from that found in U.S. universities: “I cannot say for certain which classes I’m taking. In Japan a student can enter a class at any time, because entering a class requires no more or less than the professor’s permission. So one can theoretically enter a class the day before finals and pass. What this means, however, is that I will have to attend classes I’m thinking of taking before I can decide which ones to attend to the end of the semester, and which professors to speak to for their permission.” Jonathan contrasted the rigorous testing that determines what high school and college a Japanese student can attend with the relaxed demands on the Japanese college student.

Why did Jonathan decide to go to Japan? “My interest in Japan is based on a mixture of its history, its modern media, and both old and modern culture. Japan is in many ways what American cities are not – it is compact, homogenized, commercialized to the point of being systematized, and there exist standards of politeness, quality, and customs that are unmatched in any other place I have visited. I wanted to come to Japan to be in the middle of a culture which puts so much emphasis on the new, the next, and innovation. I wanted to meet the caliber of people who manage to survive the trying process of becoming a student at a prestigious Japanese university. Most of all, I wanted to be in a world where when I wake up every morning I can expect something new to be seen and learned. Everything is different here, and I love it that way.”

Recent news from other members of our scholarship “family: ” Upon her return from Egypt, Julia Carter visited Davis in August to treat Ray and Verena to a lovely summary of her experiences in words and pictures. After spending spring break doing community work in a village in El Salvador, Ellen Holloway was chosen to be the student commencement speaker for UCSD’s Eleanor Roosevelt College (from which she graduated cum laude) in June. Austin Leininger was married in August and is now attending the Episcopal Seminary in Berkeley. When we heard from Mark Morris in March he was working on his MFA degree in New Genres at San Francisco Art Institute and running for mayor of the city. In recalling memories from his year in Ghana, he wrote: “Those incredible experiences were all made a reality by the generosity of your scholarship.” Mary Jo Velasco fell in love with Salzburg on her return trip from Bordeaux via Italy, Croatia and Austria in July. Ben Winkler McCue completed his research in the rain forests of Costa Rica in September and will return to UCSD for his final two quarters in January.

As the group of recipients grows, it becomes more difficult to stay in touch with everyone. We make a great effort, though, for at least two reasons besides the obvious interest in the lives of such promising young people. Many of you have let us know that you appreciate hearing about the experiences of the students in whom you invested, making the personal connection beyond the financial support. Brian Israel’s mother expressed the other reason when she wrote: “It became apparent to me that through the recipients of Chris’ scholarship, and your communications with them, you keep Chris’ spirit alive.” At a time when international understanding is desperately needed at every level of society, we appreciate your recognition of the fact that these scholarships for study abroad are true building blocks for the foundation of a more peaceful world.

2002 Newsletter

Dear Contributors,

Did you hear our sigh of relief when the IRS granted the Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship Fund permanent status as a public charity? A review of the five-year summary, copies of our letters to contributors and the number of responses pushed us into the desired classification. Thanks to all of you we can continue to grant scholarships without paying a tax on income while you can continue to list us among your tax deductible contributions.

In 2002 we granted three $3,000 scholarships for study abroad to outstanding University of California-San Diego students. Much to our surprise the first student to go only stayed two weeks in Germany and returned upon medical advice to avoid further panic attacks. As a result we have two recipients abroad in Egypt and France and can grant unused funds to next year’s selectees. Since the Fund’s earnings were less than expected this year, the net result is that we will have enough for three scholarships next spring. We hope to be able to continue at this level and possibly expand in the future.

Many of you have expressed your support for the scholarship project in words as well as in contributions, and we appreciate that very much. Here is a sample: “Thank you for the update on the scholarship recipients. In these troubled times I’m thankful to know people like you who encourage and help students create a better future by making friendly contacts around the world — this fund is a truly wonderful tribute to Chris.”

Meet the newest members of our scholarship family:

Julia Carter (2002-03, Egypt) is pursuing a double major in History and Religious Studies. She chose to study at the American University in Cairo to gain some understanding of the interaction of historical and religious issues in the Middle East, as well as to learn how the U.S. is viewed from an Egyptian perspective. In August we were able to discuss Julia’s plans and hopes for the year while she visited in Davis; Ellie by then had come home to Davis and was able to share many lively anecdotes of her year in Spain. Julia has sent fascinating accounts of her explorations of Cairo, Saqqara, Memphis, the Fayyum Oasis (where “I truly felt like Indiana Jones, crawling about in an attempt to discover the mysteries of the ancient world.”) and Taba on the Red Sea.

Mary Jo Velasco (2002-03, France) is studying European History and Music in Bordeaux. She was very pleased to have auditioned successfully into a prestigious amateur chorale that is performing three big concerts with works by Prokoviev, Mozart and Berlioz this year. In her initial intensive language program Mary Jo met students “from all over the world.” She found an apartment in downtown Bordeaux and had an opportunity to travel in Ireland.

Keeping up with former recipients is a growing task and since some are more frequent correspondents than others, the following listing varies considerably in details available about what they are doing since returning from study abroad.

Ben Winkler-McCue (2001-02, Spain) is back at the paleobiology lab at Scripps while taking evolution and ecology classes. He may take off one quarter to help a friend crew a sailboat from Panama to Texas (“The help and support you provided definitely catalyzed my desire for adventure and knowledge of the big wide world out there.”)

Ellie Holloway (2001-02, Spain) invited us to her “bienvenida” (welcome home party) last summer. Before she returned to UCSD to immerse herself in Spanish Literature courses, we had several opportunities to hear her still fresh stories about life in Spain, illustrated with several photo albums. At UCSD, Ellie got an internship position at the Study Abroad Office and before long was asked to do a presentation about scholarship opportunities. “This connection is a wonderful way to relive my experiences and keep them present in my mind from day to day.”

Christopher Beck (2001-02, Italy) was an incredible correspondent while he was in Bologna. We have a wonderful collection of postcards, letters and e-mails describing his experiences while studying and traveling in Italy and elsewhere, right through last summer. Since his return to the US, we have been less successful at staying in touch.

Shige Itoh (2000-01, Japan) graduated with a top Management Science degree award from the Economics Department and the Education Abroad Program returnee of the year award from the International Center. He is now in his first year at the UC Berkeley Law School, finding the people very considerate and helpful. Although we now are within easy distance from each other, we haven’t managed to mesh schedules yet.

Yukio King (2000-01, Germany) has been busy with internships in housing issues and transportation while finishing his last quarter and preparing for an internship at the Senatsverwaltung fur Stadtentwicklung in Berlin. He also is eager to get back into chamber music, time permitting.

Nicole Wu (1999-00, France) is working as an Operations Associate for Fixed Income securities at AIG Trading in Greenwich, Connecticut – a great experience, she reports. She also finds time for Capoeira (Brazilian Martial Arts) and volleyball.
Andrea Martinez-Calvillo (1999-00, Mexico) spent the first half of the year studying in San Jose, Costa Rica, living with a local family. She taught dance at a high school there and thinks that she “played an important part in getting those young adults interested in dance.” Now she is back in California, teaching English Language Learners while working on her teaching credential at San Diego State University.

Austin Leininger (1998-99, Scotland) is working for the department of Youth and Young Adult Ministries in the Episcopal Diocese of California and will be starting Seminary in Berkeley next fall. Next to his volunteer work he continues his studies of Go-ju-ryu Karate and looks forward to ballet opportunities available in Berkeley.

Mark Morris (1998-99, Ghana) is still in San Diego, as far as we know, but we lack a recent update.

Jenny Chang (1997-98, U.K.) moved from San Diego to Seattle in August to begin her studies for a PhD at the University of Washington. She reports that she enjoys Seattle, her new acquaintances and being back in school.

In late November 2001, Ray and Verena were able to travel to San Diego to attend an event honoring both donors and recipients of scholarships for students of UCSD. Spending an evening with Yukio, Andrea, Jenny, and Shige, as well as Kim Burton (who coordinates the San Diego aspect of our scholarships) and a former professor of Chris’ and his wife was a truly poignant experience that tied past, present and future together.

Being a part of the Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship Fund is significant for all of us in different ways, but in each case it links friends around the world together in a constructive effort to extend international understanding.

2001 Newsletter

Dear Contributors,

The Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship Fund earned enough to award three $3,000 scholarships for study abroad this year. The Board members each reviewed independently the ten nameless applications sent to us by the UC San Diego Education Abroad Office and were again impressed with the fine group of applicants, from which we all chose the same three. Then came the serendipitous treat: the names of our selectees were revealed to be Christopher Beck, Ben Winkler-McCue and Ellen Holloway. With the same names as the Borton sons, the young men had to be special, while Ellen is a graduate of Chris’ high school and was in one of Verena’s Davis Art Center weaving classes many years ago.

They turned out to be extra special too in that each came to visit the Borton home in Davis before departing for Europe: easy for Ellen, but a special effort for Christopher from the San Diego area and for Ben from Santa Cruz. Ben was able to accompany us to The Sea Ranch and try out his surfboard on Black Point Beach. We took Christopher on a tour of the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento, UC Davis and the Davis Art Center, and Ellen had lunch with us twice. Now Ellen is in Granada in southern Spain, Ben in Santander in Northern Spain and Christopher is in Bologna, Italy. They have each reported on exciting experiences such as surf boarding before sunrise, braving a storm at sea, and connecting with interesting characters such as an Italian rock star – as well as on their academic pursuits. In addition to getting acclimatized to the local culture and different university styles, they have had to cope with the repercussions of the events of September 11 far from home and family.

Christopher is attending the Universitá degli Studi di Bologna – Europe’s oldest university “where the ghosts of Petrarch, Dante, Copernicus and others roam”. As a Philosophy major with future plans for international law, Christopher is taking classes with impressive titles like Storia dell’Estetica e Fenomenologia and Filosofia dell’India e dell’Asia Orientale. He reports that his professors seem very passionate about what they do, although this does not make them punctual for lectures. Despite the bureaucratic mysteries, “I know I’m in the right place,” writes Christopher.

Ellen Holloway (whose e-mail is ellieingranada) is enrolled in studies toward her degree in Spanish Literature. A high school exchange program in Chile sparked her interest in continuing Spanish, while volunteering at a Davis hospital encouraged her to consider medical school or a career in public health. Ellie seems to have a knack for creating travel opportunities.

Ben carefully considered his options for finding a coastal university in a Spanish speaking country (having spent a year studying in Costa Rica), where he could study toward his double major in Ecology, Behavior and Evolution, and Spanish Studies – while continuing his passion for surfing. At the Universidad de Cantabria in Santander he has found the courses he wanted and the ocean three blocks from the apartment he shares with international students. He put his work experience at a Santa Cruz Deli to good use recently when he helped serve a birthday feast in Basque country. “Surrounded by French Basques who didn’t speak a lick of English, I never felt out of place.”

Jenny Chang (1997-98, U.K.) is still enjoying the research she has been doing at a San Diego biotech company since finishing her Master’s degree. She recently decided to continue her studies toward a Ph.D. For fun she has been swing dancing and playing softball.

Austin Leininger (1998-99, Scotland) graduated in religious Studies with a minor in Classical Dance (ballet). Currently he works as a Senior Technical Writer at Intel during the day and as a pre-seminary intern at an Episcopal church nights and weekends. He hopes to study to become an Episcopal priest and to attain a Ph.D. in Biblical Languages, as well as to return to Scotland. Lacking a dance studio, he is taking Goju Ryu Traditional Okinawan Karate “to hone his balance and poise.” He came to Davis for a visit last New Year’s Day.

Mark Morris (1998-99, Ghana) finished his BA in Visual Arts and a BS in Management Science. He is Visual Arts Coordinator at a gallery in San Diego and works at a restaurant as well. He is considering applying to graduate schools for Master of Fine Arts programs. Mark had two exhibits in San Diego after returning from Africa. Last summer he was in Spain and previous to that he traveled in Peru.

Nicole Wu (1999-2000, France) finished her degree in Economics last June. Back in New York, she took a TV and film acting workshop. She continues dance classes and has added voice lessons. She traveled to Brazil and is now looking for a job.

Andrea Martinez-Calvillo (1999-2000, Mexico) also graduated, but will continue her studies of Latin American Literature and History at the University of Costa Rica. Volunteer work at a secondary school will prepare her for entry into the teaching profession. “I am very excited about this study abroad experience and hope to learn and grow from this travel opportunity as much as I did from my stay in Mexico.”

Shige Itoh (2000-01, Japan), seen in this picture taken by the treasurer Dolf Starreveld in a Tokyo restaurant, returned from Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo in July. “I loved the experience of living in Japan and being immersed in a radically different society.” While finishing up his Management Science and Japanese Studies majors, he has been preparing for the Law School Admissions Test. “I will use my learning experiences from Japan as the foundation for the two honors theses I plan to write.”

Yukio Yukio King (2000-01, Germany) writes that “adjusting to life back here in San Diego took a bit of getting used to. I am in my routine here, but somehow there is something missing. I think it was the idea that every day, every moment, was new.” Having spent his second semester at Berlin’s Humboldt University, Yukio now feels that he “was not done with that city yet” and has submitted a Fulbright application to return to Berlin to study in the Urban and Regional Sociology Program, with a focus on issues of low income housing.

The contributions that each of you have made are extending the education of these ten awardees into the international realm and will do so as well for future scholarship recipients. Because the Fund capital is conservatively invested and has lost only a small fraction of its value this year, we expect that the program will continue at its present level – especially if further donations are received from the generous donors to whom this letter is addressed with gratitude.

2000 Newsletter

Dear Contributors,

Our annual update on the Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship Fund brings news of two current and five former scholarship recipients, as well as of some change in the composition of the Board of Directors.

Shige Itoh on top of Mt. Fuji

Yukio King and Shige Itoh, the two University of California, San Diego students we selected as this year’s awardees, are living in Germany and Japan. Yukio is attending the university in Göttingen, focusing on Urban Studies and Planning, with a particular interest in community development and environmental design. Shige is studying Management Science and Japanese Studies at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo, with plans for a career in US-Japanese relations. Both are well versed in the local language.

Yukio King

When the UCSD scholarship staff sends us applications for final selection, they do not include names and addresses. Imagine our surprise when we discovered that Yukio is from nearby Woodland and graduated from Davis High School where his interests paralleled Chris’ in orchestra, German Club and sports. Getting to know him and his family has been very special for us.1999 recipients Nicole Wu and Andrea Martinez-Calvillo returned from France and Mexico respectively earlier this year and are now back at UCSD. Nicole traveled a great deal and had an internship in a Brazilian bank in New York during the summer. Andrea was eager to teach her newly acquired repertoire of dances to her students. She wrote that her stay in Mexico was “definitely the best experience of my college career and has inspired me to want to travel more.”

Andrea Martinez-Calvillo

1998 recipients Austin Leininger (Scotland) and Mark Morris (Ghana) keep in touch with us. Austin graduated Magna Cum Laude and is now doing an internship in a Palo Alto church before entering Seminary. We hope to be able to get together later this month. Mark had a photo exhibit of his Ghanaian work in a San Diego gallery last spring and spent his break on the Inca Trail in Peru.

Our first recipient, Jennifer Chang, completed her M.S. degree and is now employed in a biotechnology firm. This fall she traveled back to the UK to visit friends made during her year abroad.

Mike Scanlin, founder of the scholarship fund, decided that he would no longer be able to continue to serve in the dual role of secretary/treasurer and keeper of the database. Fortunately Dolf Starreveld, a close friend and colleague of Chris’, who married Joan last year, volunteered to take over the task. Joan serves as secretary. These changes were formalized at a Board meeting in February. Ray continues as president.

The Fund itself is doing its job of providing income for the scholarships. The earnings in the current cycle may reach the point where we could offer three rather than two $3000 scholarships next year. We are ever grateful to all of you for your donations that make this possible. Please direct any future contributions to the Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Borton, 101 East 7th Street, Davis, CA 95616.

Next year will probably bring an IRS review to make our tax deductible status permanent – we are pleased to be able to show that we have continued support from a public that includes 238 donors from five continents.

Thank you again for your contributions and for your encouragement of this program to further Chris’ goals of international understanding and friendship. We will keep you informed (albeit a bit sporadically) about how the earnings are being used.

1999 Newsletter

Dear Contributors,

In the three years since its inception, the Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship Fund has become well established: the interest earned is sufficient to annually provide two students from the University of California at San Diego with a $3000 scholarship each to assist them in their Education Abroad Program.

Nicole Wu

This year’s scholarships were awarded to Nicole Wu and Andrea Martinez-Calvillo. Nicole is studying Economics, French Literature and Theater in Montpellier, France, with the goal of a career in International Business. Andrea is studying Latin American Literature and Dance at the University of Guadalajara, Mexico, with plans to become a teacher. The last time we heard from her she was learning to speak Nahuatl and to sew her costume for the Ballet Folklorico by hand.

Andrea Martinez-Calvillo

Last year’s recipients, Austin Leininger and Mark Morris, returned during the summer from Scotland and Ghana, respectively. Mark was able to visit Ray and Verena in Davis before resuming classes at UCSD in September. Lively reports of his experiences in Ghana and other countries, supported by extensive photographs, kept us engrossed for a whole weekend. Mark will exhibit some of his photographs from Ghana in San Diego early next year and possibly in Davis later on. We hope to be able to meet with Austin when he comes north for his winter break.

Our first scholarship recipient, Jennifer Chang, graduated Magna Cum Laude from UCSD in June and is staying on for a year to complete a graduate degree in Biology, with research focusing on meningitis.

Keeping in touch with this special group of young people has been a heartwarming benefit for us. It helps to continue the enthusiasm for learning, travel, and international friendships that Chris fostered.

Special thanks are due to our friend Roberta Beardsley who offered to support the scholarship fund “in kind” by hosting recipients in her home if their travels took them to Paris. Her hospitality was greatly appreciated by Jennifer and Mark.

Please direct any future donations c/o Borton, 101 East Seventh Street, Davis, CA 95616.

Thanks to all of you for the generosity that has made possible the creation of a meaningful and enduring program to encourage international understanding, communication, and friendship.

1998 Newsletter

Dear Contributors,

Mark Morris

We are pleased to report that the Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship Fund recently made two awards of $3000 each for the coming school year. One scholarship will help Austin Leininger during his year at the University of Sterling in Scotland. The other scholarship will assist Mark Morris who is scheduled to spend his first semester at the University of Ghana and his second semester at the University of Science and Technology at Kumasi. As they were preparing to go, our first scholarship recipient, Jennifer Chang, returned from the University of East Anglia in England.

Austin Leininger

The earnings from the Fund will be enough to continue at this level into the future. We are most grateful to all of you for having made this possible. Representing all the donors, Ray and Verena were invited to UCSD for a “Scholarship Salute” in April. Verena was asked to give a brief speech describing why the scholarship fund was created and what it has meant to us. The text is enclosed.

One family friend who lives in Paris offered to host scholarship holders who might be traveling in France. As mentioned in the enclosed newspaper article, Jennifer availed herself of this opportunity in April. Mark and Austin may be able to meet with friends of ours in Ghana and Scotland, friends who hosted Chris at different times.

Our IRS approval for being a nontaxable charitable organization will be reviewed after four years. One of the criteria for making the designation permanent is for us to be able to show continued public support and a range of donors that are not part of the immediate family. Hence, we hope you will remember our Fund when you make your tax deductable contributions. All funds are handled by Mike Scanlin, 505 Cypress Point Dr #72, Mountain View, CA 94043.

Chris would be most pleased with the progress of the Fund, just as we are. These three young people who never knew him have been inspired and encouraged by his example, and we expect that they will make significant contributions toward better international understanding.

1997 Newsletter

Dear Contributors,

Standing in front of one of the Chris Borton Memorial Trees in Davis, California: Mike Scanlin, Joan Burg, Jennifer Chang, Verena and Ray Borton

Thanks to your outpouring of support, the University of California at San Diego was able to award the first $3,000 Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship within a year of the Fund’s inception. We are delighted to announce that the first recipient, Jennifer Chang, will begin a year’s studies in Biochemistry and Cell Biology at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, U.K., this month under the auspices of UCSD’s Education Abroad Program.

Jennifer shares Chris’ background as a graduate of Davis Senior High School and student at UCSD’s Warren College, as well as his interests in science and music. She is anticipating her experiences abroad with an eager mind and open heart, contemplating not only the immediate adventures but also the long-range benefits of this opportunity.

Contributions to the Fund thus far have come from 148 sources on five continents – we are most gratified with the response. In fact, there have been enough donations to guarantee two $3,000 scholarships from the Fund’s earnings next year.

The Chris Borton Memorial Scholarship Fund has obtained tax exempt status as a public charity at the state and federal level (an exercise in diligence and patience involving endless papers – thank you, Mike!). The IRS designation is for four years. It will be renewed at the current fully exempt status in 2001 if we can demonstrate that the earnings have been spent as intended and that public support continues.

Our success this year presents the challenge of annually raising further donations to preserve our tax exempt status as a public charity. A percentage of each year’s income must be donations from individuals other than family members and Board Directors.

For each of us the scholarship project has been a source of strength as we worked through the first year of grieving the loss of our son, husband and friend. We thank you for sharing in a project that demonstrates the impact Chris’ life had on us all. We are confident that the annual scholarships to promote international awareness and understanding are a fitting tribute to Chris’ ideals.