University Friend Supports Hands-on Experiences in Environmental Engineering

As an environmental science engineer, A. James “Jim” Peterson recognized the need for hands-on learning experiences to prepare individuals to handle ecological crises effectively.

In 2021, Peterson contributed more than $800,000 to support undergraduate and graduate experiential learning opportunities in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Peterson remained in the Sacramento area upon graduating with a Master of Science from Sacramento State University in 1998 and worked for the California Air Resources Board for more than seventeen years before retiring at age 57 due to health-related concerns.

After receiving health care through UC Davis Health, Peterson and his family wanted to give back to UC Davis. His niece, Anastasia Berg, is a UC Davis graduate. One of her College of Biological Sciences professors was Peterson’s oncologist. Berg graduated in 2020 and currently lives in Carlsbad.

The Arvid J. Peterson Environmental Engineering Endowed Fund and the Arvid J. Peterson Environmental Engineering Support Fund will support field and laboratory hands-on, practical experiences with air/water/soil/etc. sample collection and analysis, using appropriate methods and equipment.

The funds support these experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, both in the department and other units and programs the department collaborates with.

This story was featured in the Spring 2022 issue of Engineering Progress.