Letter by Thomas Bartman, Proud Cal Parent 

Dear Berkeley IEOR Community,

I’m not a Berkeley alum, but I am the proud dad of one. My son, James Bartman, graduated in 2023 with a double major in IEOR and EECS. It’s so obvious to me what an amazing job Berkeley—and IEOR specifically—did for him that I’m happy to keep donating. 

James’s mother and I have always believed in the importance of strong public education, which is why we were so proud that our sons attended the University of Michigan and Berkeley. When COVID hit during James’s freshman year, I was impressed with how resilient he—and Berkeley—were throughout the pandemic. And through all four years, every time I spoke with him, I could hear in his voice just how happy he was. I could tell how much he was learning and how much he was growing as a person. 

Today, James is off to a great start in his career, and I continue to give to Berkeley IEOR because I want today’s students to have the same incredible experience he did. I donate because Berkeley made a difference—not just in James’s education, but in his life. 

If you’re reading this, you already know how special Berkeley IEOR is. The students, the faculty, the entire community—it’s a place that fosters innovation, resilience, and success. But ensuring that future students have these same opportunities requires support from all of us. That’s why I encourage you to join me in giving to Berkeley IEOR during Big Give 2025. 

Together, we can make sure that the next generation of students has access to the same world-class education and transformative experiences that shaped my son’s journey. 

Go Bears! 

Thomas Bartman, B.S. MIT ’89, M.D./Ph.D. Temple ‘96
Proud Cal Dad to James Bartman, Berkeley IEOR & EECS ’23