Greg Van Wyk
Born and raised in Goleta California, Greg Van Wyk is the second to last child in a family of 9.
Education has been in the Van Wyk Family DNA for generations. Greg’s grandfather, Arnold Van Wyk, was a principal at Bismarck High School in North Dakota until moving the family (including Greg’s father, Garrett) to Santa Maria, where Arnold served as superintendent of schools. Two of Greg’s three brothers are teachers, one in San Diego, another founded a classical education school in Santa Barbara. One of Greg’s three sisters works in counseling at Santa Barbara City College. Education is important to Greg and he considers himself fortunate to be in the position to give back to students seeking knowledge.
Coming from a large family, it’s easy to understand Greg’s first priority and passion is his family. Greg and his better half, Shelley, are the proud parents of three boys; Guitner, Hal and Boden. Shelley graduated from the University of Wisconsin, while Greg is a University of California at Santa Barbara graduate. While he completed his undergraduate bachelor of arts degree in business economics with an emphasis in accounting, in 3 years. Greg graduated with high honors in 1997.
Greg Van Wyk
He has worked as a certified public accountant, an international banker, a registered fiduciary and for the past 19 years as an investment advisor to a select clientele. Greg taught financial statement analysis as an instructor in the University of California at Santa Barbara extension program.
Greg has served in numerous philanthropic capacities for various charities including the Dream Foundation. Also, Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation, Emmaus of Santa Barbara and the St. Francis Hospital Foundation.
The Dream Foundation serves terminally-ill adults and their families by providing end-of-life Dreams that offer inspiration, comfort and closure.
The Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation advocates for families in the Central Coast with a child undergoing cancer treatment by providing financial, educational and emotional support.
Greg highly values his serving charity, he is especially proud of his early work with Emmaus of Santa Barbara. Also, Emmaus was an educational organization committed to empowering young people to break the cycles of abuse, violence, addiction and other destructive behaviors. He provide the techniques, skills, and guidance necessary for them to realize their self-worth, fulfill their potential, and learn responsibility. However, Emmaus endeavored to empower at-risk youth, and some of the most vulnerable and in need in the community.
Greg is hopeful that through this scholarship he and his family can help contribute to the young minds that will help shape, inspire and carry the torch of education and continued philanthropy to the next generation.