September 2009
After almost 25 years of MESA involvement, David Morse, now the MESA Board of Directors chair, said there's never been a time when he hasn't been struck by the success and tenacity of program's students.
Morse discovered MESA in 1985 when his company, Pacific Telesis, became concerned at the low levels of minority professionals – especially engineers – in the workforce. So the company tasked Morse with finding programs that addressed that issue. He found MESA.
From the first visit he made to a MESA center at UC Davis, Morse said he was impressed with the students and the measurable accomplishments of the program.
"We quickly became a major supporter, starting with $25,000. Within a year we were at $500,000 and soon $1 million between cash and assets (statewide)," he said.
While Morse has moved on to other companies, he has stayed close to MESA and has enjoyed watching the program mature over the years, continually producing qualified science, technology, engineering and math professionals.
"When you compare the students graduating from our program and with other students from the same schools who aren't going on to higher education or aren't even graduating; it gives a clear message that this program works."
But Morse believes there is still much to be done. California is projected to suffer a state shortfall of almost 40,000 engineers by 2014.
"My desire would be that companies that look for technical people would become more proactive, look down the road at their future needs and get involved," he said. "Make a contribution, offer summer jobs, get to know what the program can do for them and support it."
Morse said that knowledge has kept him involved all these years. "For me that love comes from seeing change and seeing a difference in people's lives."
He saw that change first hand when he delivered that first $25,000 check in 1985 to the UC Davis MESA office. A MESA student had just told the director that she was dropping out of school and moving home because she could no longer afford it. As Morse stepped in the office and handed over the check, the director immediately ran outside to catch the student and let her know there was now money for her to stay. The student stayed, graduated and even worked at Pacific Telesis for a couple of years.
"There's not been a single year that I haven't had multiple moments that have stuck in my head about the impact that can be made with MESA," he said.
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