New degrees of excellence

More than 11,000 Faculty and staff give to Campaign Minnesota

Morris faculty members Andy and Dian Lopez

Photo by Tom Foley

by Jodi Auvin

From M, spring 2003

They're committed to providing education, research, and services that are stellar in every way. And they've won every honor in the book. Now another credential is being added to U faculty and staff achievements: exceptional generosity of spirit.

More than 11,000 faculty and staff have contributed more than $62 million, including bequests and other future commitments, so far to Campaign Minnesota. "It's a phenomenal statement of the loyalty and affection that faculty and staff have for the U," says V. Rama Murthy, IT Distinguished Professor and chair of the faculty-staff campaign committee.

It's also a testament to seeing firsthand the power of gifts and a means of giving back. Just ask Bruce and Sharyn Schelske, classes of '70 and '69.

"It's a phenomenal statement of the loyalty and affection that faculty and staff have for the U."
--V. Rama Murthy

Bruce's father was the first in his family to attend college and made sure his sons went as well. Hoping to extend such opportunities, Bruce and Sharyn have devoted their lives to education, starting with undergraduate jobs in General College's Upward Bound program. Today, Bruce directs the Student Support Services office, and Sharyn oversees the McNair Scholars Program, which helps first-generation college students. They recently made a bequest and current gift in memory of Bruce's father. The Schelske Family Scholarship Fund, established by Bruce's mother in 2001, benefits modest-income, first-generation college students.

Andy and Dian Lopez, computer science faculty at the U of M, Morris, had similar reasons for funding a scholarship, which is designated for female or minority computer science majors. "Growing up in poverty, we both appreciated the many acts of kindness that helped us reach our goals. It is a pleasure to help, in some small way, a few of our wonderful, hardworking, and very creative UMM students along their road to success," say the Lopezes.