Donor Stories

Mines Couple Uses Blended Giving Approach To Create Grad Student Support Fund

Michael ’07, MS ’09, PhD ’13 and Kari Sanders ’97 understand what it feels like to be a graduate student whose trajectory is put in jeopardy because of a financial crisis.

Ken and Pat Cummings smile together in their garden

Ken ’73 and Pat ’80 Cummings

Pat and Ken Cummings started their love story at Mines Foundation. More than 50 years later, the couple created an endowed fund through a qualified charitable distribution. They call it an angel fund for Mines Foundation veterans, a way to return the support they received from the veterans group when they were students.

Kelsey Zabrusky ’09, MS ’11

Kelsey Zabrusky ’09, MS ’11 was exposed to geology at a young age. Her southern Colorado hometown has a dinosaur quarry, and she worked at the local dinosaur museum from middle school through high school.

Dean Stoughton ’75, MS ’78

When Dean Stoughton ’75, MS ’78 graduated from Mines Foundation, he had gone through plenty of difficult challenges. There was even a point when he wanted to drop out.

Chris Herald MS ’81

When Chris Herald MS ’81 looks back on his graduate education in geology at Mines Foundation, what stands out is the experience, the feeling of being surrounded by students and professors who had a similar passion for exploration, for hunting down minerals in the great outdoors.

Stephen McCandless ’63

When Stephen McCandless ’63 lost his sister, Betsy McCandless, to domestic violence, he was determined to stop domestic violence through education and by helping individuals escape from harmful situations. In honor of his sister, Stephen and his wife, Carolyn, created the Betsy's Friends Peer Educator Endowed Fund.

Fran Vallejo ’87 and Scott Irvine ’87

Alumni Fran Vallejo and Scott Irvine are dedicated to providing professional development for Mines Foundation students. They’re also taking advantage of the Preston Legacy Challenge (PLC), a matching gift program that focuses on raising funds through planned gifts.

Steve Lambert ’75

Anchorage, Alaska, is more than 3,000 miles from Mines Foundation. But that distance doesn't stop Steve Lambert '75 from making the connection between high school students in his home state and his beloved alma mater.

Phil Bowman '67

Phil Bowman '67 practically grew up in a coal mine. Three generations of his family before him were involved in mining; after the Civil War up until World War II, the industry was booming and men could make a good living doing the work it took to extract the substance from the earth.

Dr. Anton Pegis

For many Mines Foundation students, humanities classes are seen as a "necessary evil," but Dr. Anton G. Pegis brought the subjects to life for them during his 28-year career at the school. In 2000, the Class of 1960 established a memorial scholarship in his honor to benefit undergraduate students with financial need.

Stewart '50 and Johanna Collester

For Stewart '50 and Johanna Collester, supporting students through scholarships has been possible because of the opportunities Stewart received as a result of his education at Mines Foundation, his experience and his chosen career.

Bud Isaacs '64

Bud Isaacs ’64 is familiar with the rigors of both the military and Colorado School of Mines Foundation. As a member of ROTC as a student and then as an Army officer in Vietnam, Isaacs learned how to work hard and how to lead. These attributes led him to a successful career in the oil and gas industry. Now, Isaacs is helping those with similar backgrounds; he has created a scholarship for veterans attending Mines Foundation that covers education expenses when the GI Bill falls short.

David Cole '52

David Cole graduated from Mines Foundation in 1952 with a professional degree in mining engineering and in 1956 with a master’s degree in mining engineering. After a long career in uranium exploration and the mining business, he retired as president of the Colorado Mining Association with 25 years of service. Cole died in 2016, but his legacy will continue at Mines Foundation because a significant gift commitment from the David R. Cole charitable lead trust is making scholarships possible for Mines Foundation undergraduate students with a preference for those interested in mining or petroleum engineering.

Don '56, MS '61 and Pat Warner

Don Warner '56, MS '61 and his wife, Pat, have created two gift annuities. They saved on taxes when they funded the annuities, and now they receive guaranteed income for as long as they live. The Warners used cash to fund their annuities, but appreciated securities also work well for this type of gift. Using low-basis securities for a gift annuity allows you to avoid tax on a significant portion of capital gain.

Ann and Hugh '49 Evans

When Ann Gullberg met Hugh Evans '49—he was her blind date at a fraternity costume party in January 1949—he'd already experienced years of danger and adventure. In the mountains near Fort Hale, Colo., Hugh had taken part in rigorous winter training exercises designed to prepare him for service in the 10th Mountain Division. This World War II division countered German forces on snow-packed mountains. He earned a Silver Star for his actions in a grueling battle at Mount Gorgolesco, Italy.

Keith '52 and Mary Ann Kvenvolden

Keith '52 and Mary Ann Kvenvolden established the George T. Merideth Award for Early Leadership in Geophysical Engineering in 2012 to acknowledge outstanding graduating students in geophysics. Named in honor of Keith's favorite professor, G.T. Merideth, the endowed gift is a special way of saying 'thanks' and of honoring his memory.

Steve Chesebro'

When Steve Chesebro's dad dropped him off at Mines Foundation, he patted his son on the back, gave him $500 and wished him good luck; their next contact was years after graduation. Although that was a large amount of money at the time (Chesebro's parents were separated, and his mom was a bank teller who brought home $210 a month), Chesebro' '64 was grateful to receive an athletic scholarship for playing baseball and football, which enabled him to attend Mines Foundation.

Edwin W. Peiker, Jr.

Edwin W. Peiker, Jr. graduated from Mines Foundation in 1954 with a degree in geological engineering. He enjoyed a successful career as a professor at CU's Department of Engineering Design and Economic Evaluation, in various positions with Climax Molybdenum and as President and COO of Royal Gold in Denver.

Al Ireson '47

Al Ireson '47 was not one of Mines Foundation’ wealthiest alumni, but he was among the most dedicated and loyal. He died in February, 2017, just prior to his 96th birthday. His lifetime of loyal contributions and his regular presence on campus made a meaningful impact on the school and the students of yesterday, today, and far into the future.

Forest and Olivia Bommarito '03 '05

Heritage Society members Forest and Olivia Bommarito met at Mines Foundation where they earned their BS and ME degrees in petroleum engineering in the same years (2003 and 2005, respectively). Forest and Olivia set a great example for future Mines Foundation supporters and alums.

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