Eugene H. Cota-Robles

Can never forget Dr. CR .... Who gave me so much as an undergraduate at UC. Rest in peace

A student from long ago, I still am grateful for all the opportunities given me by Dr. C-R. He was well-loved
by so many.

It was the fellowship named in Dr. Cota-Robles's honor that allowed me, a second-generation Arab-American, to attend UCLA. Simply put, I would not have achieved my PhD or my position as an assistant professor at the University of Oregon had it not been for the Cota-Robles Fellowship. I never knew Dr. Cota-Robles, but he must have been an extraordinary person to have such a prestigious academic award named after him. I pray for his family and friends and I thank him for the gift he gave me, having never even known me.

Eugene Cota-Robles will live on in the many lives of students, scholars and citizens who had the blessing of his guidance. He was a great friend and benefactor to those of us building Oakes College at UC Santa Cruz. In his role as Vice-Chancellor he had oversight of all the programs, but he clearly felt deeply and passionately about those programs and leaders who promoted opportunity for the most vulnerable. He led with sensitivity, judgment, and always a commitment to excellence. Even when he was critical it was in a supportive manner. Many appreciate his vision and leadership in creating an extraordinary Biology program. At its height there were 6 minority faculty (PhD). 4 were Latino, 1 Native American and 1 African American. Needless to say with such role models and mentors, minority students flourished in the sciences--particularly Biology. We see the results in the lives of many developing scholars from all backgrounds. I will always honor and praise the extraordinary legacy of Gene Cota-Robles.

Their are no words or phrases that can describe what Professor Cota Robles contributed to the academic Latino coummunity. His contributions will last forever. He was a very gracious and genuine human being. May he rest in peace

Dr. Cota-Robles and I arrived on the UCSC campus about the same time. I was a lowly post-doc and he an awe-inspiring VChancellor. He immediately sought me out and wanted to know my plans and to help me shape the next steps of my career. He never stopped taking an interest and he and I over the years had many wonderful conversations about education and the academic progress of minority students. He never stopped caring. Rest in peace, Profe.

Few Latino educators at both national and state levels have advanced educational equity and opportunities for women and minorities in math, science and engineering than Dr. Eugene Cota-Robles. Virtually all of the leading Chicano and Native American researchers in the nation have been influenced by or directly benefited from the programs in math, science and engineering Dr. Cota-Robles pioneered and helped to institutionalize at leading universities throughout the country. He was a pioneer in involving the University of California in improving the quality of secondary education in California. Latino scholars in all disciplines across the country are indebted to Dr. Cota-Robles' contributions to higher education. He was humble, gracious, kind and generous. May his legacy live on.