LOS ANGELES — An additional $24.5 million pledge to UCLA announced Monday from television producer Chuck Lorre will support young scientists similar to the characters in the popular sitcom “The Big Bang Theory.”
Through The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation, the gift will add to the endowment established in 2015 at UCLA to help more low-income students study science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). The funding supports the existing Big Bang Theory Scholarships and the creation of a new UCLA Chuck Lorre Scholars Program.
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“With the growing success of our Big Bang Theory scholars and the community they have built, it was the right time to expand our support to impact even more students by providing additional leadership and wraparound services,” Lorre said. “I am in awe of our scholars and graduate fellows who are poised to reshape the face of STEM. In the immortal words of Timbuk 3, ‘The future’s so bright, I gotta wear shades.’”
The $24.5 million pledge will allow the scholarship program to double its current number of undergraduate recipients to 80 each year in perpetuity.
UCLA’s Chuck Lorre Scholars Program offers four years of scholarship, mentorship and other support services beginning the summer before freshman year, as well as opportunities for graduate school funding.
“We are grateful to The Chuck Lorre Family Foundation for helping students in need excel as scholars and leaders,” UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said. “The UCLA Chuck Lorre Scholars Program advances our shared goal of transforming STEM through greater inclusivity.”
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Lorre, who co-created “The Big Bang Theory,” set up the original endowment through his family foundation as well as support from more than 50 cast and crew members, producers and writers of the…
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