LLF Announces Legacy Fund for
Kim Cupps Memorial STEM Fellowship
Gina Bonanno is determined to pay it forward – one STEM leader at a time.
When her wife of 25 years, Kim Cupps, passed away in June 2019 following a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer, Bonanno was not prepared for the strong outpouring of love, stories and support that came from Lawrence Livermore National Lab (LLNL) colleagues as well as the greater Livermore community.
“I’m approached by someone who knew Kim or was touched by her almost on a weekly basis,” noted Bonanno. “Often these are people who I’ve never met. They seek me out to tell me what she meant to them. I get a lot of comfort knowing how she changed lives and touched people in her hometown.”
A long-time computational leader at the Lab, Kim Cupps played a pivotal role in bringing several of the world’s fastest and most powerful supercomputers to LLNL. She held a number of senior management positions throughout her 29-year career and was a gifted and motivating manager – always focused on recruiting and training the next generation of STEM leaders. She was also a Livermore native – born at Valley Memorial Hospital and a product of local schools, including Granada HS. She earned a BS in math and a MS in computer science from Chico State University before returning to LLNL.
That’s why it was so important to Bonanno, and their son Alex, to launch the Kim Cupps Memorial STEM Scholarship, via the Pedrozzi Foundation – one of Livermore’s most impactful nonprofit organizations. Since the initial scholarship launch in 2020, four outstanding local high school students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and math have been named as recipients – Laurie Liu, Ximenia Pulido, Clarissa Chung and Katherine Meezan. In addition to their commitment to STEM, the young winners also embody Kim’s spirit, leadership and commitment to service. This year’s winners, Chung and Meezan, were among 127 students receiving Pedrozzi scholarships totaling more than $459,000.
“The Kim Cupps Memorial Scholarship Fund is a wonderful gift that’s been given to our community,” said Pedrozzi Foundation Executive Director Carolyn Siegfried. “It supports the next generation of local STEM leaders and allows for Kim’s dreams and spirit to live on. When coupled with the partnership with the Livermore Lab Foundation and the summer opportunity/ fellowship at LLNL, it takes the potential impact to a whole new level.”
The unique partnership between the Livermore Lab Foundation (LLF) and Pedrozzi Foundation provides these scholarship recipients with an opportunity to spend one summer, in either their junior or senior year, as a LLF Fellow/Undergraduate Intern as part of LLNL’s formal college summer program.
“We know from our research that access to mentors, and active participation in science projects and opportunities can make all the difference to students and their STEM careers,” explained Sally Allen, executive director of the Livermore Lab Foundation. “We were honored to be included by Gina, Alex and all who loved Kim in this partnership with Pedrozzi. While the scholarship fund at Pedrozzi is fully endowed, our foundation is committed to raising the necessary funds to support the students’ paid internships at the Lab.”
“The fellowship at the Lab gives people the opportunity to experience what Kim and I had,” noted Bonanno, who retired from LLNL in 2013. Now serving as the Vice Mayor of Livermore, Bonanno was an accomplished scientific leader and senior manager on such projects as the National Ignition Facility for more than 25 years.
“The Lab is not just a job – it’s a place where everyone can fit, with so many ways to contribute and feel valued,” noted Bonanno. “But internships are important – and quite frankly, necessary to help inspire our students.”
“It’s my hope that our fellows can join in on the important role LLNL has in our nation’s history and keep Kim’s spirit and love for our community alive. It’s one small way we can all contribute to the STEM workforce of tomorrow, one student at a time. I think Kim would be very proud.”
The Kim Cupps’ Memorial STEM Fellowship Fund supports a paid summer internship at Lawrence Livermore National Lab. Contributions in honor of Kim, to support STEM career choices, and the experience of working at a national laboratory, can be made here. Donations are fully deductible – to the extent of the law. LLNL employees may also directly contribute to the Kim Cupps’ Memorial STEM Fellowship Fund via the annual HOME campaign.
For more information on creating a named fellowship experience for LLNL student interns, contact Sally Allen, LLF Executive Director at [email protected]. For more information on establishing a scholarship fund for Livermore graduates via the Pedrozzi Foundation, contact Carolyn Siegfried, Executive Director at [email protected].