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. 


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¡MIRA! – Materials Research & Diversity Center Match
2
Match
¡MIRA! – Materials Research & Diversity Center Match
Donate to any fund that supports ¡MIRA! and an anonymous donor will match up to $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!
$100 MATCHED
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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.
4 / 10 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
Event
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.
Event
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!
Event
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!
Event
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)!
Event
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.
Event
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.
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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.
1 / 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!
3 / 15 Gifts
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NAU Transit Trivia: Buses and Brain Power
Event
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!
Event
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!
Event
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.
Event
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.
Event
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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