Charles and Gerry Collins

UAF photo by JR Ancheta

Charles and Gerry Collins, both ’74, have invested in UAF students for nearly 20 years. Together they have established the endowed Charles Malcolm and Geraldine Vrbka Collins Geology Scholarship, which provides scholarships for students studying geosciences at UAF. Through current and planned giving tools, they’ve built a plan to support students substantially in the future.

Most recently, an estate gift of nearly $2 million created the Annette McFayden Clark and Donald W. Clark Endowed Scholarship to support students at UAF. Donald earned a geology degree in 1956. Although their endowment is still in the growth period, once matured, it will provide more than $75,000 annually in scholarship support.

Programmatic support

With nine colleges and schools offering 187 degrees and certificates in 106 disciplines, UAF offers benefactors many options. UAF donors are supporting programs and initiatives—from Arctic engineering and student activities to research and outreach programs—that will change the world.

One of the most significant legacy gifts in UAF’s history was made by Brina Kessel, a renowned ornithologist and UAF professor, dean, and museum curator emeritus. At her death in 2016, Kessel left $7.5 million to UAF. Her love of Alaska and its avian treasures led to a lifetime of exploration, while her modest lifestyle and dedication to her work complemented her quiet prowess in investing.

Kessel’s multimillion-dollar estate gift inspired the Brina Kessel Fund for Northern Ornithology, which supports programs to better understand the birds of Alaska, Berengia, and the associated seas of the region.

UAF also has received several estate gifts to support engineering.

James E. Moody, a professional engineer from Fairbanks, gave $25,000 in memory of his parents, L.E. and Alaska Linck, for an endowment to support the UAF Steel Bridge Team, a student squad that often places well in regional and national competitions. Last summer, Richard Nyman’s estate gave to his endowment that supports the Institute of Northern Engineering.