NAU Giving Day 2025

Join President Cruz Rivera in shaping the future of entrepreneurship at NAU. Your support will amplify our efforts to empower the next generation of innovators through our Lean Startup Semester Series. Every dollar you give doubles the impact, making innovation a reality. President Cruz Rivera will authorize the release of matching funds for Bill Heibel’s $25,000 gift and up to an additional $100,000 to double your impact on student innovation.

This Giving Day, you have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the School of Communication at Northern Arizona University. Jeff Sears, ‘98, a proud NAU alum, has generously pledged to unlock a gift of $5,000 to the Bossler Sears Award for Communications once 10 gifts are made to any School of Communication fund.

This Giving Day, you have the opportunity to make an impact for NAU Yuma students. Don Willits, '11, a proud NAU alum, has generously pledged to unlock a gift of $1,000 to the Yuma Student Success Center once 10 gifts are made to any NAU Yuma fund.

Join the challenge for the Theta Omega Chapter of Delta Tau Delta! We are calling for 10 gifts to this fund, and then we will unlock Jake White and Matt Tantau's pledge of $2,000 to the same fund. Your contribution can help us reach our goal to endow this fund and support the ongoing success and growth of this chapter. Let's rally together and make a difference.

An anonymous Lumberjack supporter has pledged $40,000 to NAU Women’s Golf. Once 25 gifts are made to Women’s Golf, we will unlock this generous gift! Let’s tee off for a cause and drive for excellence. Swing into action and make a gift to Women’s Golf today!

Maximize your impact on the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and unlock an additional $100,000 in funding for the college. Once 100 gifts are made to any College of Social and Behavioral Sciences funds, we will release a generous $100,000 gift from NAU alumni Mitch and Carrie Ettinger to the Gerald Ladhoff Scholarship and the SBS Future Readiness Fund. Every gift counts—join us in making a difference! #WeAreLumberjacks

The Academic and Workforce Alliances Challenge, presented by Vice Provost Yvonne Luna and Associate VPs Marjaneh Gilpatrick and Brenda Sipe, invites you to play a crucial role in bridging the gap between academic learning and practical workforce skills. By supporting this challenge, you’ll help empower students to transition seamlessly from classroom learning to real-world careers. Once 10 gifts are made to the NAU Workforce Development and the NAU Statewide Impact funds, we will unlock an additional collective gift of $1,650 from Yvonne, Marjaneh, and Brenda to support those areas. Your contribution will directly impact students' futures, helping them build strong, sustainable careers and make lasting contributions to their communities. Together, we can ensure that NAU graduates are not only well-educated but also well-prepared to thrive in the workforce.

Join the NAU Foundation board and show your pride with a gift to support this challenge on #NAUGivingDay. The following NAU Foundation Board members have committed to a collective impact totaling $25,000, which will be released when 125 first time donors make a gift. Thank you to: Lisa Bagwell; Eric Baker; Teresa Bartels; Bob Bement; Bob Braudy; Robin Braun; Booker Evans; Victoria Fimea; Bill Heibel; Mary Huntley; Tim Kinney; Any Peña; Rick Rodriguez; Katrina Rogers; Steve Sanghi; Tony Tewelis; and (1) anonymous member. WE Are Lumberjacks!

Maximize your impact on the College of Arts and Letters and unlock an additional $11,500 in funding for the college. Once 25 gifts are made to any College of Arts and Letters funds, we will release a generous gift of $1,500 from CAL Dean Julie Piering to the Ethics Bowl, and a generous gift of $10,000 from an anonymous donor to the Martin Springer Institute Expanded Center. Every gift counts—join us in making a difference! #WeAreLumberjacks

Join Sundt Construction and JE Dunn Construction in supporting NAU Construction Management program this Giving Day! Once 20 gifts are made to Construction Management, we will unlock a generous collective gift of $8,000 from Sundt Construction and JE Dunn Construction, enabling us to continue delivering top-notch education and real-life experiences that our program is known for. Together, let's build the next generation of high-performance construction professionals. WE Are Lumberjacks!

Anika Olsen, Vice President for Strategic Enrollment & Marketing at NAU, is inviting the NAU community to support FACTS this Giving Day! Once 5 gifts are made to FACTS (Family, Access, Communication, Transition, and Support), we will release a generous $1,000 gift from Anika Olsen to that fund. Together, let’s build a stronger, more connected NAU community!

Once 10 gifts are made to any School of Forestry funds, we will release a generous $4,000 challenge gift from NAU retiree Mike Wagner to the Wagner Faculty-Led Study Abroad Forestry Fund. This Giving Day help forestry students take their education beyond the treetops and into the global forest.

This Giving Day, you have the opportunity to make an impact for NAU students. Tim Dwyer, '84, and Tracee Dwyer, ’84, both proud NAU alumni, have generously pledged to unlock a gift of $2,000 to the Jacks on Track program once 5 gifts are made to the Jacks on Track Fund. Jacks on Track empowers stop-out students to return and achieve their bachelor’s degrees by offering financial support to upper-division undergraduate students. This helps ease the costs of tuition and fees, enabling them to stay focused on their path to graduation.

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!

President Cruz Rivera challenges you to rally together for the Lumberjack Marching Band's journey to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City! Once 30 donors join the cause, President Cruz Rivera will authorize the release of an additional $30,000, maximizing our support for the band and ensuring our members can share their talent and the Lumberjack spirit with millions. Every gift goes farther in making this dream a reality for our talented NAU students!

Support the students who power the Cline Library! From student workers who keep things running, to interns gaining hands-on experience, to scholars whose research shapes the future—your gift fuels their journey. Once 15 gifts are made to any Cline Library fund, a generous $3,000 gift from NAU alumnus James Owens, '71 will be unlocked for the Cline Library Innovation Fund. Your support helps provide vital scholarships, fund internships, and create meaningful opportunities for student employees.

This Giving Day, alumnus Scott Kirkessner is elevating student engagement at NAU! Your gift to a participating student group not only supports student clubs but also empowers them to elevate their impact. Scott has pledged $1,500 in prize money for the top four student clubs that rally the most donors to their pages. Your support can make a difference in empowering our Lumberjack community to thrive! Check the Student Giving Leaderboard for current rankings.

Thanks to the generosity of Jay and Linda Butler, every dollar donated to the Ceramics program will be matched—dollar for dollar—up to $25,000. Your gift will be doubled, helping to elevate the growth and success of our talented ceramics students and faculty. This match will make a lasting impact, fueling innovation and artistry in the Ceramics program at NAU.

Join The SAC (Staff Advisory Council) Challenge by making a gift to the Employee Lumberjack Fund (ELF) on Giving Day. Once 10 gifts are made to ELF, the SAC leadership will donate $500 to ELF. For over 25 years, ELF has provided over $50,000 in aid to NAU employees during times of hardship. Your donation, no matter the amount, directly supports NAU staff facing emergencies, demonstrating our Lumberjack community's commitment to care and unity. Let's stand together and make a difference in the lives of our fellow Lumberjacks.

Join the SCE Dean’s Advisory Board and make a gift to support the Sanghi College of Engineering. Members of the board, Eric Anderson, Trent D’Hooge, Kelly Gallagher, and Bob Witwer, will unlock a generous collective gift of $7,000 to the college, once 25 gifts are made to any Sanghi College of Engineering fund.

Donate to any fund that supports ¡MIRA! Once we receive 20 gifts to any ¡MIRA! fund an anonymous donor will donate $2,000 to support ¡MIRA! SPARQS. SPARQS - Sparking Curiosity in Quantum Science - brings the world of science to our communities’ front doors. They provide ‘hand’s on’ quantum science experiences to schools and communities, providing students with the opportunity to observe engaging demonstrations, perform experiments, learn about career opportunities in STEM, and most importantly – have fun with quantum science!

This #NAUGivingDay, you can make a BIG impact on campus climate action! A generous anonymous donor is offering a $1,000 gift to the Sustainability Impact Fund, once 10 gifts are made to that fund for Giving Day. Make your gift, and let’s unlock this incredible opportunity!

Once 15 gifts are made to any College of Health and Human Services funds, we will release a generous $5,000 challenge gift to the Drs. Gregory and Anita Mayer Family Scholarship from Diane Cornsweet, a proud NAU supporter. Help future healthcare leaders get the support they need to thrive.

The 100% Career Ready Challenge, presented by Provost Karen Pugliesi and Vice Provosts Yimin Wang and Maribeth Watwood, invites you to make a difference in the lives of NAU students. Once 15 gifts are made to the 100% Career Ready Fund, we will release a collective gift of $4,000 from Karen, Yimin, and Maribeth. Your donation will help faculty and staff equip graduates with the skills, adaptability, and academic foundation they need to succeed in today’s competitive job market. Together, we can ensure that Lumberjacks are not only ready for the workforce but also ready to lead with purpose, build strong futures, and make lasting contributions to their communities. Your support today empowers tomorrow’s leaders.

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!

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!

Join NAU Alumnus and Foundation Board Member Bill Heibel, '70 in supporting Venture Studio at NAU. Bill Heibel has generously pledged $25,000 to directly fuel student innovation at Northern Arizona University. His gift will be unlocked after 15 gifts are made to the Venture Studio this Giving Day. Your support empowers students to lead and innovate, shaping a future filled with purpose and impact. Together, let's elevate the next generation of innovators at NAU.

Jason Wilder, Vice President for Research at NAU, is calling on you to fuel innovation and discovery this Giving Day! Once 30 gifts are made to NAU Research, Center for Community Health & Engaged Research (CHER), or the Pathogen and Microbiome Institute (PMI), we will release a generous gift of $1,500 from Jason Wilder to the VP for Research Innovation Fund. Together, let’s help push the boundaries of knowledge!

Join the NAU Student Affairs in empowering Lumberjack success this Giving Day. Once 15 gifts are made to Student Affairs funds, we will release a generous collective gift of $2,550 from the Student Affairs Leadership Team. This gift will support students in building community, optimizing wellness, and pursuing their academic and career purpose through donations to: Lumberjack Emergency Assistance Fund, Campus Health Services, NAU Career Development, Northern AZ College Resource Center, Learning Assistance Center, Lumberjack Hair Care, LouieCare, Deborah Harris Scholarship, Campus Recreation-Outdoor Adventures, LGBTQA Innovation Fund, Hispanic/Latinx Student Success Fund, and the First Generation Special Opportunity Fund. Together, let’s uplift every Lumberjack and empower them to succeed!

Once 5 gifts are made to any biological sciences funds, we will release a generous $1,000 challenge gift from NAU alumnus Rosevelt “Ted” Pardy to the Dr. James Wick Seminars Fund. This Giving Day help cultivate and nourish the next generation of scientists and scholars.

Once 5 gifts are made to the Institute for Human Development Fund, we will release a generous $25,000 challenge gift from Pam and Rudy Ramos to the Mike Baker Fund for Disability Studies. Your support helps shape a future where individuals of all abilities have equal access to education, opportunity, and community. Together, we’re advancing the vision of a more inclusive world.

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!

Maximize your impact on the College of Education and unlock additional funding for the college. Once 75 gifts are made to any College of Education funds, we will release a generous gift of $66,000 from NAU alumnus Steve Sanghi to the Sanghi Family CSTL Robotics Professional Development Fund. Every gift counts—join us in making a difference! #WeAreLumberjacks

This #NAUGivingDay, you have the chance to make a BIG impact on our campus! A generous anonymous donor is offering a $2,000 gift to the Campus Beautification Fund—but here’s the catch: we need 125 staff members from ITS, HR, CAPCO, and UFBS to make their gifts and unlock this challenge! Show your support and come together with your colleagues to enhance the beauty of our campus. Make your gift, and let’s unlock this incredible opportunity! Please make sure to indicate you are NAU staff from one of those departments when you are checking out.