A Legacy of Learning

A Lifelong Connection to the Ocean

For some, the ocean is a scenic backdrop—an inviting place for relaxation or an awe-inspiring force of nature. For Mona Hansche, it’s the soundtrack of her life; and Bodega Bay is the chorus—the part that always returns, anchoring the melody of her experiences.

From childhood explorations of the dunes and beaches with her father, a UC Davis professor, to conducting undergraduate research at the Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML), to a lifetime of diving and ocean adventures around the world, Hansche has always been drawn back to the Sonoma Coast. These experiences inspired her to make a bequest that will establish an endowment supporting BML’s future.

Blazing a Trail at BML

Long before the Marine and Coastal Science major existed at UC Davis, Hansche charted her own course in the 1970s through a self-designed independent major. With the guidance of a faculty sponsor, she balanced coursework at the Davis campus with hands-on learning at BML, an experience that left a lasting impact.

On a recent visit to the lab, she stopped by the Cadet Hand Library and found her undergraduate research paper still on the shelves. “It was all done by hand, on a typewriter, and my paper was 10 pages long. So that's a lot of typing without white-out.” She laughs, reflecting on the painstakingly hand-drawn charts and graphs—tasks that technology now streamlines in minutes.

Keeping the Ocean Close

After graduation, career opportunities in marine science were limited. “Aquaculture didn’t yet exist as a formal industry,” Hansche explains, “and many of the jobs open to me would have required a second job just to get by.” She ultimately pursued a career in banking but never let go of her love for the ocean. “I kept feeding that desire for the ocean in other ways,” she says. From weekends spent diving for abalone to traveling the world on tank diving trips, she remained deeply connected to the water.

Although she no longer scuba dives, her bond with Bodega Bay is as strong as ever. She still visits regularly, renting a home overlooking the golf course, where she finds solace in the familiar rhythms of the coast—a place that has always felt like home.

Inspiration for Giving

During a recent tour of BML, Hansche was struck by how little had changed in certain areas of the lab. 

“I walked into one of the classrooms and realized it looked exactly the same as when I was a student,” she says. “The blackboards, the microscopes—it was all the same.”

While there’s nostalgia in that continuity, the visit also underscored the vital role of donor support in maintaining and upgrading these facilities. “I just assumed that a lot of the funds that go toward the lab come from tuition, and I learned that it doesn't,” Hansche admits. “It's a lot from independent philanthropy.”

That realization, combined with her appreciation for the lab’s ongoing research and education, led Hansche to work with Trent Sunahara, Assistant Director of Development at UC Davis, and Allison Chilcott, Managing Executive Director of Development at UC Davis, to create a long-term investment in BML. Rather than a one-time donation, she wants to establish an endowment, ensuring a lasting impact on the lab’s future.

Expanding Public Engagement at BML

Bodega Marine Laboratory is a relatively small field station, but Hansche sees that as part of its charm. “The uniqueness of being small is also special,” she says. With her gift, she hopes to share that specialness with a wider audience by increasing public awareness and access.

Before the lab can expand its public engagement efforts, its infrastructure must be ready to support more visitors. While the lab itself is built to accommodate guests, sustaining a strong docent program requires ongoing investment and dedicated leadership. Hansche also reflected on other areas of the lab that would benefit from investment, including student housing and classroom spaces that have remained largely unchanged over the years.

In terms of her donation, Hansche shared that she would love for it to support an expanded docent program and public education mission, helping the lab become a more recognized destination for education and engagement. She hopes it will also inspire others to invest in the facilities that make hands-on marine science possible.

A Lasting Impact

Mona Hansche’s generosity is a testament to her enduring connection to Bodega Marine Laboratory and her vision for its future. Through her bequest, she hopes to preserve BML’s hands-on approach to marine science while making it more accessible to the public.

By supporting the growth of the docent program and enhancing public education efforts, Hansche is laying the foundation for future generations to experience and learn from the coastal environment she cherishes. Her legacy will continue to inspire others to support BML’s mission and share in its potential. As she puts it:

I would love to see the lab become more of a destination—a place that more people know about, visit, and connect with.”