Paying It Forward: Fellowship Fund
Honors Current UC San Diego Staff Leader

Stu Motter, often referred to as “the heart of the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies” is honored with the creation of “The Stu Motter Fund” in support of graduate student fellowships.

June 16, 2009

By Laura Margoni

Stu Motter

For nearly a decade, Stuart “Stu” Motter has been an integral part of the University of California, San Diego’s School of International Relations and Pacific Studies (IR/PS). As the manager of the school’s computer lab he met and interacted with hundreds of students, faculty and staff on a daily basis, providing them with technical guidance and support. An eager and fun-loving proponent of student activities, Motter also served as mentor, coach and friend to many Masters degree candidates and could often be found in costume at student rallies and events.

“Stu not only has made the computer lab an institution at IR/PS, he has been in many ways the heart of the school,” said Kathleen Masey, a friend and former UC San Diego colleague. “His expertise, generosity and wonderful sense of humor kept most of us going on even the worst of days. This man is a real-life super-hero.”

Unfortunately, Motter was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor last year and stopped working in order to undergo treatment and recuperate at home. The news not only hit him and his family hard, it also devastated Motter’s many friends and colleagues at IR/PS. As a tribute to honor their friend “Stu,” faculty, staff, alumni and students at the school have set up “The Stu Motter Fund.” The fund will help provide fellowships for IR/PS students who show the same commitment to community service, good will and hard work for which Motter is known.

“I can’t think of a better way to pay tribute to the importance of Stu’s friendship and guidance than by creating a current use fellowship fund in his name,” said Ben Bahney ’06, IR/PS Alumni Association president. “A gift will not only honor an incredible member of the IR/PS family but will also help support students in their efforts to make a difference in their communities.”

A gift to “The Stu Motter Fund” can be made online by visiting http://irps.ucsd.edu/stumotterfund and clicking on the “Give Now” button. Checks payable to the UC San Diego Foundation (with “The Stu Motter Fund” in the memo) can also be sent to University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive #0940, La Jolla, CA 92093-0940. For questions or additional information, please contact Portia Bibb at (858) 534-1957 or pbibb@ucsd.edu.

Media Contact: Laura Margoni, 858-822-2485, lmargoni@ucsd.edu