Full Circle Philanthropy LAS Alum Making a Difference in Her Community

By Bonnie Ellison ’64

LAS philanthropy starts with the desire to educate, nurture, and create caring world citizens. I was one of the first to get an LAS education, enrolling as a student the very first year the school was open: 1961. Philanthropy works in a circle; it is not what I gave to LAS, but rather what LAS gave to me that I now give to others.

My first introduction to an international environment took me from Montana (USA), to Nepal, to Libya, and finally to LAS. Navigating multiple cultures at a young age could have fostered a lack of confidence or low self-esteem. But instead self confidence, along with humility, was instilled in me by my parents and was then re-enforced and broadened by my experience at LAS. The confidence gained at LAS propelled me to navigate cultures and find success in my professional career as a producer in advertising.

When I decided to retire at age 55, returning to Nepal to take care of abandoned children was an obvious choice for me. Nepal has always been my soul place and I felt I needed to do something to contribute. My circle was complete when I became the Country Director of Ama Foundation in Nepal.

Caring for abandoned children by creating an environment that promotes self confidence was my basic goal. Self