5 minute read
Giving Back
Adams State University students majoring in mechanical engineering may be eligible for a new Building the Future Scholarship established by the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA). The scholarship will assist Adams State mechanical engineering majors with educational expenses. CHFA designated $100,000 to scholarships over the next 10 years. One or multiple scholarships will be awarded each year based on recipient need.
“CHFA is proud to invest in the Adams State University/ Colorado State University mechanical engineering program to provide students the ability to seek a robust profession after graduation. We established our Building the Future Scholarship fund to strengthen Colorado’s future workforce, advance equity in education access, and promote leadership in affordable housing and economic development,” said Cris White, CHFA executive director and CEO.
Adams State partnered with Colorado State University to establish the mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree. Students have the opportunity to earn the CSU degree, delivered entirely on the Adams State campus. Adams State provides all lower-division coursework for the first two years of the program and CSU provides all upper-division coursework for the last two years by CSU faculty who are located in Alamosa.
Matt Nehring, Ph.D., Adams State professor of physics, is the director of the mechanical engineering program. “Our first class of students started the CSU/ASU mechanical engineering program this fall. We are striving to increase the size of next year's cohort by 50 percent over this year and this generous scholarship will be a great incentive for new students."
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must major in mechanical engineering; be an incoming freshman or sophomore during the award year; and meet grade point average requirements. Recipients must also be registered fulltime and be a resident of Colorado, with preference given to San Luis Valley high school graduates. A letter outlining educational and career goals must also be provided.
For more information about the CHFA Building the Future Scholarship and the CSU/ASU mechanical engineering program visit adams.edu/csume.
Charlotte Lehmann ’79 includes her alma mater in her estate planning
Charlotte (Schneider) Lehmann, pictured above, included Adams State in her estate planning. According to her niece, Leigh Hinojsa, executrix for the Charlotte Lehmann Estate, her aunt Charlotte took the time to update her will shortly after losing her husband in 2000. “She wanted to make sure everything was in order and to remember Adams State.”
The Charlotte Schneider Endowed Scholarship will provide scholarships to students with demonstrated need who are enrolled in a full-time capacity at Adams State. “Aunt Charlotte had fond memories of Adams State and the area,” Leigh said.
Charlotte received her Master of Arts in education. Leigh believes she worked at the local junior high school while pursuing her degree. After she left Alamosa, she moved to Alaska and accepted a position as a 4-H agent.
Charlotte and her husband later moved to Oregon, and then Montana, before returning to her hometown of Windsor, Colo. While a student at Adams State, Charlotte was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. “My aunt Charlotte battled MS for fifty years, but she always had a smile and remained in good spirits,” Leigh said.
R J Friend, Inc. recently established two annual scholarships in nursing and business to support Adams State University students, who are Colorado residents. The intent of each scholarship is to support at least one full-time, undergraduate student from admission through graduation with an annual award of up to $10,000 to cover unmet need. R J Friend, Inc. also created a scholarship with the Adams State Prison College Program.
R J Friend, Inc. was established in 1985 by Ralph Friend, who worked with his parents and siblings in the family furniture business in Aurora, Colo. During WWII, Ralph was stationed in the Philippines and occupied Japan. Back in the states, he taught aviation classes to women in Arizona. “Uncle Ralph worked for everything and I know he would be so pleased to assist Adams State students who are genuine and respectful of education,” said Joan Friend, R J Friend, Inc. secretary.
R J Friend, Inc. doesn’t have a formal mission statement but the goal is to fund scholarships every year. After Ralph Friend died in 2016, his nieces and nephews continued the legacy. “We have grown our capability over the years,” Joan Friend added.
The organization restricts the scholarships to Colorado residents. “It is our hope the scholarship recipients will give back to their communities after graduating.”
“We are all grateful to work with Adams State and hope to continue to serve individual students with funding as they pursue their goals and dreams," Joan Friend said.
Donna Hayward ’77 sets up an endowed scholarship
Donna Hayward, Class of 1977, remembers the financial challenges while pursuing her master’s degree in counseling at Adams State. She attended classes on campus during the summer months of 1975, 1976, and 1977, paying for student housing, tuition and fees, while maintaining her rent payments on her apartment in Pueblo, Colo.
Through estate planning, Donna recently set up The Donna J. (Disert) Hayward Endowed Scholarship in School Counseling (Master of Arts).
“I wanted to give back and help someone who may not have to struggle as much financially as I did while earning my master’s degree. I am excited that future students will receive the financial help I didn’t have.”
Donna appreciated the small school and class sizes at Adams State. “I had incredible instructors and learned valuable skills.”
After graduating Donna worked for school districts across Colorado, from smaller schools to larger metro areas. “School counselors are needed more than ever.” In her last position, 50 percent of the high school students were being raised by grandparents and the need for intervention crisis counseling was always high.
Donna retired and moved from Parker, Colo., to Calhan, Colo. to care for her mother. She and her husband continue to live there with their horses and dogs. “I continue to volunteer in my church as a counselor for young people as well as adults. It’s my service.”
