Northern Arizona University

NAU Gift Spotlight

More information on President's Circle and President's Associates.

The San Manuel Band of Serrano Mission Indians believes that Northern Arizona University is the right place for a Native American Cultural Center that serves as “home away from home” for students across the nation. The tribe’s generous contribution initiated the funding campaign for NAU’s future cultural center, and they are “encouraged by NAU's outreach to the Native community.” San Manuel Chairman James Ramos (pictured at right with NAU students) feels strongly that the center will be a source of pride for students and a perfect place to partner an excellent education with cultural support and awareness. The tribe stepped up to the plate for NAU acknowledging the university’s national ranking as one of the top 10 institutions for enrolling Native American students, and one of the top five for awarding both undergraduate and graduate degrees to Native American students. At NAU, 62 tribes are represented, and according to President John Haeger, NAU has the dedicated mission to be a “premier institution in the United States for serving Native American students and faculty.”

You wouldn’t know J. Douglas Macy, a landscape architect in Portland Oregon, lives nearly 1000 miles from Northern Arizona University. His presence and energy are constants to the College of Arts and Letters (CAL). From his volunteer work for the Tozan Gardens and CAL advisory board, to his financial support of ceramics students and the world famous Tozan kilns, and to an art collection promised to NAU, Doug’s presence is here for keeps. Here to make sure that Aaron, his son, will always be here in memory. And Aaron’s memory is strong. In fact, Jack Heimerman, recipient of the Aaron Macy Memorial Scholarship, knows Aaron’s legacy lives with NAU’s kilns. “I came here for these kilns, and this scholarship allows me to focus on my ceramics with the creative and studio time I need.” Doug keeps his son’s memory alive with the work he does for CAL; in essence, he keeps the kilns burning for NAU, and most importantly, for Aaron.

George, BS ’72 BS, and Patricia Thomas, BS ’72, are enthusiastic about continuing a tradition of excellence at Northern Arizona University through their generous scholarship – the Patricia Duke Thomas Special Education Scholarship. George speaks fondly of meeting Pat in the late sixties while standing in line at NAU’s University Dining Hall; they married soon after. NAU gave them the confidence that prompted success in their careers – George retired from the CIA; Pat from special education. They now reside in Albuquerque. The Thomases trust their scholarship will lead students in special education to realize positive learning experiences just as they had while on the mountain campus. Their recent visit to Flagstaff proved to them that the university has not lost its “flavor.” “NAU is really sensational in its prospecting of young professors who are hitting their stride as professionals.” With supporters like the Thomases, members of the both the Heritage Society and the President’s Associates, NAU’s excellence keeps growing stronger.

Sherri Slayton, BSBA ’85, is a homegrown Flagstaff woman and a graduate of Flagstaff schools. As a first generation college student, Sherri might never have had the opportunity to attend NAU without the scholarships she was awarded. Now, Sherri wants to “give a possibility to someone else.” To accomplish this, Sherri developed the Sherri Craddock Slayton Scholarship. “Many people don’t think their gifts are big enough, but if you build a little at a time, you can provide something substantial that lasts forever.” Sherri realized her love for banking while working part-time at a Flagstaff bank, taking classes at NAU, and living at home.“I just loved balancing at the end of the day.” And finding balance is what Sherri—now senior vice president at Alliance Bank and a single mom—is all about. Beginning in Fall 2010, her scholarship will annually, and forever, help students find “balance” just as Sherri has done.

Judith Wheatley, BS ’69, and Chuck Wheatley believe that teachers thrive when they have passion for what they teach and the resources to teach thoroughly. This is why they contribute to the NAU Teach program—they want a quality learning experience for future math and science teachers. Judy remembers the quality education she received and tells of an NAU professor who helped her out at the Timber Inn because she had to work there during his office hours. “NAU is still like a big family.” Support from the Wheatleys has not only enhanced NAU’s capacity to teach teachers but to assist science conservation students like Jud Wynne. “As a soft money scientist,” reports Jud, “I cobble together my living. But my research leads to the care and preservation of fragile natural resources, and I couldn’t do it without gifts from friends like the Wheatleys.” Judith and Chuck’s passion for improving education and for conservation science leads them to philanthropy that includes NAU, and NAU couldn’t be more grateful.

R. Joe McCoy, BS ’59, and Earlynn (Insley) McCoy, MEd ’60, are adept when it comes to seeing the big picture. They pride themselves in their past—they met in third grade at St. Anthony’s in Flagstaff and attended Northern Arizona University together—and they confidently look to the future. As proud members of the Heritage Society, they are establishing their legacy. Joe recalls his professors in the “field of commerce.” “They kept track of their students and took pride in our success.” Joe and Earlynn keep that pride going with their planned gift funding scholarships in their name for business and physcial education students. Emily Kuckuk, an enthusiastic and successful NAU student is a recent recipient of a scholarship created by a planned gift. “This scholarship gives me endless amounts of invaluable time; I can explore my passions and maintain my GPA.” Because of the McCoys desire to carry their historic pride into the future, students like Emily will benefit from scholarships for years to come.

Tom Arndt, BSBA ’80, understands that the excellence of a university’s teaching is dependent upon the excellence of its faculty. His experience in The W. A. Franke College of Business was exceptional due to quality professors. Tom is proud that his son Mike is having a similar experience as an advertising sophomore at NAU. Tom, who recently retired from Canyon State Oil, considers himself fortunate to be able to give back to his alma mater. He established the “Thomas Arndt Faculty Award” to secure continued faculty excellence in the business college. T.S. Amer, an NAU accounting professor, relishes the opportunities this award provides to him. His list of accomplishments includes extensive reseach, publication of numerous articles, and the opportunity to assist the business college formulate recommendations for addressing recent budget shortfalls. Most importantly, T.S. is proud of his accounting students who are energized by new technology in information and database systems. Support from Tom Arndt improves NAU’s ability to keep excellent faculty, and to be the difference that matters.