Welcome to CEFNS Giving!

The College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences (CEFNS) is dedicated to exploration, understanding and preservation of our complex and interconnected natural world. Your gift supports hands-on research, field studies, and educational programs that prepare students to address scientific challenges and create sustainable solutions for future generations.  

This Giving Day, to support the College of the Environment, Forestry, and Natural Sciences, please consider making a gift to the highlighted areas below. Your generosity helps to engage, inspire, and transform students into scholars to advance the understanding and preservation of the world around us. 

Honor the lasting legacy of Dr. Paul Umhoefer, a dedicated geoscientist and mentor who inspired generations of students at NAU. The Paul Umhoefer Endowed Professorship seeks to attract distinguished scholars whose groundbreaking work in tectonics and sedimentary basins will shape the future of the discipline. Your gift ensures that Paul's passion for research and education continues to inspire students and faculty in the School of Earth and Sustainability for years to come. 

Lumberjack Math Center 

Empower students to succeed in mathematics by supporting the Lumberjack Math Center. This innovative resource center enhances learning through intentionally designed first-year courses that blend classroom instruction with personalized lab support. Contributions help provide essential tutoring and instructional resources for courses such as MAT 100, MAT 108, MAT 114, and MAT 125. Your generosity ensures students have the tools and guidance they need to excel in math and beyond. 

CEFNS Dean’s Innovation Fund

Fuel discovery and innovation by supporting the CEFNS Dean’s Innovation Fund. This fund is vital in advancing undergraduate research, providing resources for students, faculty support, and the overall operation of the undergraduate summer research program. Your contribution helps cultivate the next generation of scientific leaders, giving students the opportunity to engage in hands-on, impactful research experiences. 

CEFNS is a college of seven diverse departments, five centers/institutes, 4,415 students, 124 staff and 215 faculty.  Our programs span the range of microbiology to astronomy and material science to wildlife fire science and add remarkable value to the college. You can learn more about department specific funding priorities on the pages below.  

Thank you for supporting our team and the CEFNS mission, your generosity fuels innovation, access, and excellence at NAU. Every gift—no matter the size—helps create life-changing experiences for our students. Thank you for believing in the power of Lumberjack giving. 


Give Early
¡MIRA! – Materials Research & Diversity Center Challenge
$2,000
¡MIRA! – Materials Research & Diversity Center Challenge
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!
1 / 20 Gifts
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Grow Beyond the Classroom: School of Forestry Challenge
$4,000
Grow Beyond the Classroom: School of Forestry Challenge
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.
1 / 10 Gifts
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Lumberjack Pride: NAU Foundation Board Challenge
$25,000
Lumberjack Pride: NAU Foundation Board Challenge
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!
95 / 125 Gifts
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Cultivate Knowledge and Discovery: Biological Sciences Challenge
$1,000
Cultivate Knowledge and Discovery: Biological Sciences Challenge
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.
0 / 5 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!
0 / 15 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!
7 / 125 Gifts
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