Steve Cotler ’60 Fund

In 1999, alumnus Steve Cotler led the transformation of Summer Science Program from a single program at Thacher School in Ojai, California, into an independent nonprofit, effectively saving it from extinction and launching the organization that it is today. He served as Board Chair for the first seven years of the nonprofit and remained actively involved thereafter.

Steve considered the Summer Science Program as one of his enduring legacies, and all participants since 1999 have had access to high-quality summer research programs thanks to Steve. In a very real sense, “SSP” is “Steve’s Science Program.”

In 1960, I was fortunate to attend the Summer Science Program, one of the most challenging enrichment programs for high school students in the world … and the only such program focusing on astronomy in general and orbital determination in particular.

Steve Cotler

Steve’s family generously donated $50,000 to establish the Steve Cotler ’60 Fund, and since then, others have more than matched that amount. Your gift will join this growing legacy, honoring Steve’s memory and supporting a cause that transforms lives.

The Fund, anchored in Steve’s enduring values, endows a Cotler Scholar each summer with full financial aid. Our goal is to increase the Fund to support two Cotler Scholars every year, ensuring that students who share his exuberance and passion for learning can thrive without financial barriers. To fully realize this vision and support two Cotler Scholars annually, we aim to raise $450,000.

When you contribute during the annual campaign for the Cotler Fund, your name (but not donation amount) will be shared with the Cotler family as a testament to your partnership in honoring Steve’s legacy. Your generosity is not just a gift to these remarkable individuals—it’s an investment in a future filled with discovery, innovation, and hope.