Letter by Steve Tai (M.S. IEOR ’81) & KC Wu (M.S. IEOR ’82)

Dear Alumni and Friends,

Every now and then, we visit campus, taking in its beauty and reflecting on the incredible memories we made at UC Berkeley. Each visit reminds us just how special this place is—it’s where we met 40+ years ago and built the foundation of our careers and family.

Then, in 2022, we received the winter edition of Berkeley IEOR Magazine, and it instantly brought back even more memories of our time taking IEOR classes in Etcheverry Hall. The department has grown tremendously since we were students in the 1980s! Today, there are more degree programs, more students, and research that continues to evolve alongside the ever-changing landscape. It’s truly inspiring to see this progress.

With the growing demand for AI-driven solutions and efficiently designed systems, the department shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, we learned that the student body has doubled in recent years—a trend that comes as no surprise.

KC and I have been fortunate to build long and fulfilling careers, thanks in large part to the strong foundation we gained at UC Berkeley IEOR. I pursued operations research, taking on leadership roles in software development, while KC focused on the industrial engineering side, working hands-on in supply chain and manufacturing. Our time at Berkeley equipped us with the skills to develop comprehensive, scalable solutions—knowledge that has guided us throughout our professional journeys.

In 2023, KC and I established The Steve and KC Wu Family Scholarship as a way to give back. When KC was a student, she was one of only a few women in the department. The path to engineering can be particularly challenging for students from underrepresented and under-resourced backgrounds.

During her time at Berkeley, KC had a mentor named Charlotte, a fellow IEOR student a few years ahead of her. That connection and mentorship—seeing another woman overcome the odds—was incredibly impactful. It reinforced the importance of representation and support in engineering, and we hope this scholarship will help provide similar encouragement and opportunities for future students.

For this year’s Big Give, KC and I invite you to join us in giving back to the department, helping it grow, and ensuring that students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to pursue IEOR. By supporting our department, you help equip future problem-solvers with the skills to drive innovation, optimize complex systems, and make a meaningful impact across industry and academia.

Sincerely,

Steve Tai (M.S. IEOR ’81) & KC Wu (M.S. IEOR ’82)

First dated on Valentine’s Day 1981, married in 1983, and grateful for 42 wonderful years together—building a family, raising children, and now cherishing time with our grandchildren.