Making A Difference
Thinking outside the box academically
Deborah Stone ’78 made a gift to create a different kind of student-support fund: Stone Family Interests, Ideas, and Innovative Projects Fund. It will provide funding for students in the UNH College of Engineering and Physical Sciences to participate in activities outside of their engineering and science academic paths — enabling the exploration of new areas of inquiry, tackling of real-world problems and engagement with diverse populations. Stone majored in mathematics and elementary education while a student here and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa and Pi Mu Epsilon honor societies.
Generosity takes flight
Several donors recently made gifts to UNH Extension’s Natural Resources Gift Fund, after taking a class on birding with Extension educator Matt Tarr. UNH Magazine was curious what makes the class so great, so we reached out to some of them. “Matt is an amazing teacher and goes above and beyond. I love how the classes are self-paced. The class has people from their 20s/30s through 60s/70s and possibly beyond! I have always felt welcome and have learned a ton from Matt,” says donor Kendra Ocanez. Classmate Kris Carlson agrees: “Matt Tarr is a skilled instructor and leader. Both the online lessons and the field trips far exceeded my expectations. They are excellent on field marks, bird sounds and habitat. I will repeat the class!” Tarr, a professional wildlife biologist and licensed forester, is the state’s wildlife habitat specialist for UNH Cooperative Extension. He’s a triple alum of UNH: a master’s and bachelor’s in wildlife and wildlands science and management, and an associate’s in forestry technology. Learn more at extension.unh.edu.
Internship support for social work students
Sharyn Zunz, former member of the social work faculty, recently made a gift to support students in the College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) majoring in social work and pursuing non-clinical career pathways, including administration, community organizing, nonprofit leadership and public policy. A longstanding supporter of the college, Zunz has previously established endowed funds benefiting study abroad and other CHHS priorities. This latest gift will provide students with access to internships and experiential learning opportunities that advance their professional aspirations.
Honoring a father’s legacy
When Ann Nichols Brown was writing her will, she included a provision to honor her father by creating the Winfred J. Nichols ’33 Scholarship for Business Administration Fund at UNH for students in the Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics. Her obituary (she died in December 2024) notes that she loved cashmere and classic TV reruns, and that “she was devoted to her dad and shared his enthusiasm for crossword puzzles, ‘The Ed Sullivan Show,’ the Kingston Trio and listening to the Oak Ridge Boys sing their biggest hit, ‘Elvira.’”
Continuing the work of supporting children
Crotched Mountain Foundation’s CMF Kids Program donated to create the Kinesiology Physical Education Research Fund in the College of Health and Human Services. The fund will support kinesiology research focused on physical education and physical activity for children with and without disabilities in New Hampshire schools and communities. Founded a century ago, the foundation’s mission is to help children, students and adults with disabilities to live, learn and thrive in their communities.
Football legacy meets present-day student support
Ten years ago, Kevin ’79 and Kathy Smith ’80 made a gift to UNH Athletics to create the Raymond E. Donnelly Jr. ’59 Athletic Scholarship Fund, in honor of Kathy’s dad. It provides a scholarship each year to a UNH football player. Now they’re doing even more for Wildcats: They’re adding another gift to that fund, as well as creating a new scholarship for students from New Hampshire, especially would-be first-generation college students. Raymond Donnelly Jr., (pictured right) died in 2018. He was a two-sport Wildcat, playing both football and baseball.