The Stu Motter Fund
Honoring a Friend
In May 2008, we received the devastating news that IR/PS staff member, Stu Motter, was diagnosed with two inoperable brain tumors. Stu and his family have been coping with overwhelming challenges for nearly a year now. As president of the IR/PS Alumni Association, I cannot think of a better way to pay tribute to the importance of Stu Motter’s friendship and guidance during our experience at IR/PS than by creating a current use fellowship fund in his name. We ask our alumni, both pre- and post- the “Stu Motter years,” to give to the newly created The Stu Motter Fund. Our hope is to fund fellowships for new IR/PS students who show a special commitment to community service in the same spirit of hard work and good will that Stu was known for. We plan to call our alumni in a few weeks to personally ask for your support in recognizing Stu’s contribution to the success of IR/PS and to ensure future opportunities to deserving students.
For students from the 1998 class and onward, Stu evokes vivid memories of their IT obstacles and successes at IR/PS. Since his illness, many of the current students and alumni have kept in touch and continue to send him messages of hope and encouragement. Stu recently shared with us that communication from IR/PS keeps his spirits up and keeps him connected to one of the best parts of his life.
We are very proud to announce the creation of The Stu Motter Fund to increase available funds for IR/PS students and honor our friend, Stu. Many of us had the privilege of working with Stu and witnessed his “I will do whatever it takes” attitude as well as his spirit of warm collegiality and friendship. Kathleen Masey, a former colleague and a friend of Stu had this to say:
“For the many of you who have had the privilege to know Stu, you don’t need me to tell you how appropriate The Stu Motter Fund is. I listened to enough of you as students ask me why Stu’s dedication and talents were not more recognized. No one would ever disagree that Stu not only made the computer lab an institution at IR/PS, he was in many ways the heart of the school. His expertise, good will, and wonderful sense of humor kept most of us going (and up-and-running) on the worst of days. To those of you who did not have the privilege of matriculating during the “Stu era,” I can only say that this man was and is a real-life super-hero. You honor the best of IR/PS and yourselves by honoring him.”
To make a donation to the Stu Motter fund, use the Give Now button below to make a secure online donation, or contact Portia Bibb, (858) 534-1957. Your gift will not only honor an incredible member of the IR/PS family but will also help support students in their effort to make a difference in their communities.
We send Stu and his family all the warmest wishes for a complete and full recovery. IR/PS, the faculty, staff, and students sorely miss him.
Thank you for your support.
Ben Bahney ’06 (DC)
President, IR/PS Alumni Association
To make a secure online contribution to the Stu Motter Fund, click
For alternate donation methods, please contact Portia Bibb.
