Elevate the Honors College

Support An Honors Initiative!

The NAU Honors College exemplifies inclusive excellence by challenging students to be engaged citizens and stewards of our local and global community. From participating in the Grand Canyon Semester to designing their unique Honors Capstone projects, NAU Honors College students pursue an individualized education designed to make a difference. Learn more about the NAU Honors College!

SUPPORT AN HONORS INITIATIVE WITH YOUR #AXEOFKINDNESS

The José Ángel Cruz (JAC) Honors Emergency Relief Fund

The JAC Fund provides short-term, emergency financial assistance to Honors students facing unexpected hardships. This fund provides grants to support basic needs such as food, clothing, and essential transportation, helping students stay focused on their studies during challenging times.

Honors Native American Summer Research Program

Open to NAU Native American and Indigenous undergraduates from all disciplines, the Honors Native American Summer Research Program (HNASRP) provides tuition and fees, housing and meal plan, peer mentoring, and academic programming for students while they pursue supervised research under a faculty mentor. Learn more about this program on the NISF webpage.

The Sarah Henry Miller Fund for International Experience

The Sarah Henry Miller (SHM) Fund enables Honors students to study abroad and engage in international opportunities by assisting with travel expenses, out-of-pocket costs, and international professional development.

Honors College Fund for Innovation

This fund provides funding for a variety of initiatives within the College, including undergraduate research, capstone projects, and internships.

HONORS COLLEGE CHALLENGE
Donate to any fund within the Honors College, and once Honors receives 25 gifts, the following contributions will be released to the college:

Ms. Samia Ashraf will donate $100,000 for faculty support
Dean Kevin Gustafson will donate $1,000 to The José Ángel Cruz (JAC) Honors Emergency Relief Fund
Arizona Lottery and Brian and Cheryl Connors will donate $57,000 to the Native American Summer Research Program
The Honors College Leadership Board will make a combined donation to funds of their choosing

NAU GIVING DAY EVENT

Honors students, join Dean Gustafson for ice cream to celebrate NAU Giving Day! This event begins at 3 pm in the Honors College Courtyard on May 1.

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Elevate Honors Excellence: Honors College Challenge

$101,000

Elevate Honors Excellence: Honors College Challenge

Unlock additional support for Honors students and faculty by joining Samia Ashraf and Dean Kevin Gustafson in their commitment to excellence. Once 25 gifts are made to any Honors College funds, we will release generous gifts of $100,000 from Samia Ashraf to support Honors Faculty Support and $1,000 from Dean Kevin Gustafson to the José Ángel Cruz Honors Emergency Relief Fund. Join us in elevating Honors education at NAU and maximizing your impact on #NAUGivingDay!

2 / 25 Gifts

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Patricia Hunter Last Mile Challenge

$26,000

Patricia Hunter Last Mile Challenge

Laurie Mittenthal has created a new fund in memory of her mother and alumna, Patricia Hunter Mittenthal, ’89. The Patricia Hunter Last Mile Fund supports currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate students who are members of federally recognized Native American Tribes and may be facing unexpected costs or financial hardship in their final year at NAU. She has pledged to release $26,000 to this fund once we receive 15 gifts to any fund for Native Americans on Giving Day. Thank you to Laurie for providing this challenge!

3 / 15 Gifts

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NAU Transit Trivia: Buses and Brain Power

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NAU Transit Trivia: Buses and Brain Power

Get ready for a wild ride this May 1 as NAU Transit Services presents a one-of-a-kind Giving Day celebration — Transit Trivia and prizes aboard a secret shuttle! Students lucky enough to catch the right shuttle on May 1 can win NAU Giving Day swag based on their answers. Climb aboard. Think fast. And win!

Event

CrossFit Battle at the Dome: Army ROTC vs. Air Force ROTC

Join us bright and early on NAU Giving Day, May 1st, at the NAU Skydome for an adrenaline-pumping CrossFit competition as cadets from Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC face off in a head-to-head fitness challenge! Kicking off at 05:45, this high-energy event is a battle of endurance, strength, and spirit. Come show your support and cheer on the cadets!

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Cornhole with Dean Haro: Bags, Boards & Big Impact!

Join Roger Haro, Dean of the College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences, for a Giving Day cornhole showdown packed with Lumberjack spirit! Head over to the Science and Health Building (bldg. 36) on May 1, from 10:00AM–11:00AM, to take your shot against the Dean or cheer on others. It’s a fun and relaxed way to connect and learn how to support the College of Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences. Come toss some bags and celebrate Giving Day with purpose!

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Croquet for Elle: Play, Remember, Give

Join us this Giving Day for Croquet for Elle, a joyful tribute to the life and legacy of Elle Zizzi, a beloved member of the NAU Theatre community. Stop by the lawn outside the Performing Arts Building (bldg 37) from 11:00AM-1:00PM. This event invites students, faculty, and friends to gather, play a friendly game of croquet, and support the Theatre Scholarship in Elle’s memory. With every game played, we carry forward Elle’s spirit of joy, creativity, and community.

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Celebrate #NAUGivingDay at Mother Road Brewing Company

Join fellow Jacks in Flagstaff to recognize what makes the NAU family extraordinary—you! Thursday, May 1, 2025 5 – 7 p.m. Mother Road Brewing Company Register for this free event at Foundationnau.org/events. The first 25 people that attend this event and make a Giving Day gift will win a free exclusive Giving Day swag bag. You can show us your confirmation email when you arrive if you made a gift earlier in the day.

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Celebrate #NAUGivingDay in Denver at Number Thirty Eight

Join fellow Jacks in the Denver area to recognize what makes the NAU family extraordinary—you! Thursday, May 1, 2025 5:30 – 7 p.m. Number Thirty Eight Register for this free event at Foundationnau.org/events. The first 10 people that attend this event and make a Giving Day gift will win a free exclusive Giving Day swag bag. You can show us your confirmation email when you arrive if you made a gift earlier in the day.

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Empower Indigenous Excellence: Arizona Lottery & Connors Family Challenge

$57,000

Empower Indigenous Excellence: Arizona Lottery & Connors Family Challenge

Unlock $57,000 in support for the Honors Native American Summer Research Program by joining the Arizona Lottery and the Connors family in their commitment to Indigenous student success. Once 25 gifts are made to either the Honors College, Office of Undergraduate Research, or the Office of Native American and Indigenous Advancement, the Arizona Lottery will contribute $25,000 and the Connors family will contribute $32,000 to this interdisciplinary research program. This transformative initiative empowers Indigenous students to excel in higher education through impactful summer research projects. Join us in supporting Indigenous excellence at NAU on #NAUGivingDay!

19 / 25 Gifts

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True Blue: NAU Alumni Association Board

$11,750

True Blue: NAU Alumni Association Board

Help us start off the day with our first milestone and show the Lumberjack community we are True Blue! When we reach 125 alumni gifts of $125 or more on #NAUGivingDay the following NAU Alumni Association Board members will release a collective $11,750 in gifts. Thank you to: Blaise Caudill ’13; Dave Cook; Trina George, ’09; Alex Gutierrez, '85 '90; Jana Harper, ’90; Veronica Hipolito, '97, '02; Jim Jayne, ’91; "Kari" Kent, '91; Rick Koch, ’72; Mary O'Driscoll, ’82; Nancy Serenbetz, '75; Maggie Thom, ’12; , Wayne Watson, ’84; and (3) anonymous members. Go Jacks!

27 / 125 Gifts

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Sodexo & Starship Robots: Swag on the Move

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Sodexo & Starship Robots: Swag on the Move

This NAU Giving Day, your Starship Robot delivery might come with more than just food… On May 1, when you order through the Starship Robots, you’ve got a chance to receive surprise NAU Giving Day swag! All day long, random robot deliveries will include awesome swag. Order your favorite campus eats from Sodexo and keep your eyes peeled—your delivery robot might be packing more than just snacks.

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Kickstart Giving Day: Scones & Coffee at the HRM Courtyard

Start NAU Giving Day off right with free coffee, mini scones, and a whole lot of Lumberjack spirit! Swing by the School of Hotel & Restaurant Management courtyard on May 1, from 8:00AM-10:00AM, and score a complimentary coffee and mini scone (while supplies last!) to fuel the day. While you're there, grab some Giving Day swag and learn how you can make an impact. Let’s celebrate community, generosity, and everything we love about NAU. See you there!

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Cornhole with the Dean Piering: Toss for a Cause!

Celebrate creativity and community this Giving Day with a little friendly competition! Join Julie Piering, Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, for a cornhole event with big Giving Day energy! Stop by the lawn in front of the Liberal Arts Building (bldg. 18) on May 1, from 12:00PM–1:00PM, to challenge the Dean to a round (or cheer others on!) while learning how you can support the College of Arts and Letters. Let’s toss some bags and celebrate Giving Day together!

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Scoops with Dean Gustafson: A Sweet Giving Day Celebration

What’s better than ice cream and good company? Honors students, swing by the Honors College courtyard on May 1 from 3:00PM-4:30PM to celebrate NAU Giving Day with Dean Kevin Gustafson. Cool treats, and campus spirit! It’s the perfect study break—come chill, chat, and celebrate the impact of giving back (with sprinkles on top)!

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Celebrate #NAUGivingDay in Phoenix at OHSO Brewing + Distillery

Join fellow Jacks in the Phoenix area to recognize what makes the NAU family extraordinary—you! Thursday, May 1, 2025 6 – 7:30 p.m. OHSO Brewing + Distillery Register for this free event at Foundationnau.org/events. The first 25 people that attend this event and make a Giving Day gift will win a free exclusive Giving Day swag bag. You can show us your confirmation email when you arrive if you made a gift earlier in the day.

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Celebrate #NAUGivingDay in DC at Crystal City Sports Pub

Join fellow Jacks in the Washington, DC area to recognize what makes the NAU family extraordinary—you! Thursday, May 1, 2025 6 – 7:30 p.m. Crystal City Sports Pub Register for this free event at Foundationnau.org/events. The first 10 people that attend this event and make a Giving Day gift will win a free exclusive Giving Day swag bag. You can show us your confirmation email when you arrive if you made a gift earlier in the day.

Areas of Impact

Elevate the Sanghi College of Engineering Elevate Lumberjack Career Readiness Elevate Academic Excellence Elevate Lumberjack Community & Wellness Elevate Access to Education Elevate the College of Education Elevate the College of Nursing Elevate the College of Social & Behavioral Sciences Elevate the Honors College Elevate the W.A. Franke College of Business Elevate the College of Environment, Forestry & Natural Sciences Elevate the College of Arts & Letters Elevate NAU Athletics Elevate NAU Online Elevate NAU Academic and Workforce Alliances Elevate Native American & Indigenous Advancement Elevate KNAU Elevate the Cline Library Elevate Campus Support Elevate Student Groups & Organizations Elevate Graduate and Professional Studies at NAU Elevate NAU Yuma Elevate the College of Health and Human Services Elevate Giving Day Fun

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