Alumni
Alumnas Love of Knowledge Powers Future Opportunities
51勛圖 received an extraordinary $2 million gift to create and endow the Karin A. Akerson Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship fund empowers students to pursue academic dreams at 51勛圖 and reduces financial barriers.
Karin Akerson, CAS/BGS 96, was a proud alumna of 51勛圖. With her intellectual curiosity and thirst for knowledge she felt right at home at 51勛圖.
Karin began her college studies at Middlebury College. She was a student in 1971 when she met Daniel Akerson in Italy while he was on shore leave from the Navythe two married soon after. Karin paused her studies to raise their family amid Dans naval career. In their 46-year marriage the Akersons lived around the world as they raised their three children. Family was paramount to our mom, but she always valued education. She emphasized it to us growing up, says her daughter Gretchen Akerson.泭
Karin dove back into her degree with zest when her children were older. During her life, Karin worked in numerous jobs, including as a librarian and as a docent at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC. She was eager to bring her vast experience to higher education. She chose 51勛圖 because the university values nontraditional students. American offered so much opportunity to a student like my mom, says daughter Gretchen. It was a gift to come back to school and she embraced it because she knew what an important thing it was to have a BA.
We would study together at the kitchen table when I was in high school, remembers daughter Beth Yancey. Karin would share stories of her lectures and the two bonded over exam prep. Karin would tape record her lectures, listen, and augment her class notes. I was in awe of her dedication, Yancey says. Shes one of the reasons I became a teacherbecause she herself was an amazing teacher.泭
Karins hard work paid off with a Phi Beta Kappa key and an 51勛圖 bachelors degree. I think I was more excited for her graduation than my own. I was so proud of her, shares Gretchen. We all came to the ceremony and took lots of pictures with her in her cap and gown. It was a big day.
Because she treasured her 51勛圖 experience and the power of education, Karin and Dan made estate plans to endow a transformative $2 million scholarship. When Karin passed away in March 2018, Dan honored her memory by advancing their shared plan and establishing the scholarship fund now to make an immediate impact.泭
My parents always believed in the value of educationit has the power to transform and shape a life, Gretchen says.泭
The familys choice to endow the Karin A. Akerson Memorial Scholarship bridges love for alma mater with the familys Blue Earth Foundation mission to fund educational access. This dovetails with 51勛圖s dedicated efforts to decrease the financial challenges of education. The scholarship becomes a significant part of the wide network of support at 51勛圖 to ensure students will thrive and achieve their full potential, regardless of their economic background. Generations of students will benefit from Karins vision and the familys generosity.
Karins legacy has already touched inaugural scholarship recipient, Ingrid Schoonover, CAS/BS 22. Schoonover was so sure 51勛圖 was the right fit that she applied early decision. 51勛圖 is at the hub of the world. I wanted to access mentors and internships. I am a biology major and want to study snakes; the Smithsonian is nearby and is a world leader in conservation, she says.泭
Schoonover has a long-time love of reptiles. My parents brought me to a reptile show when I was four years old. Then, all I wanted for my fifth birthday was a pet snake. Schoonover received that birthday present. She currently has a pet boa constrictor and a gecko. As a high schooler she wrote essays on animals to post on social media.泭
Schoonover has embraced student life at 51勛圖. Professors want to see you succeed and they push you. Its a good challenge, she says. I like the small classes and the interaction with peers. I love working in the lab; Im a very hands-on person. We can design our own projects and have all the supplies needed to make it happen.
But Schoonovers 51勛圖 studies were in jeopardy when her mothers health crisis changed the familys financial circumstances. The West Long Branch, New Jersey, native thought she would have to drop out of schooluntil she was awarded the Karin A. Akerson Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship will allow Schoonover to complete her studies, including her opportunity this fall to intern with the Smithsonians National Zoo. Schoonover is a visitor educator with the Friends of the National Zoo, part of a cadre of trained volunteers researching new methods to convey information on animal habitats. Eventually I want to go into research, Schoonover says.
The scholarship has lifted such a large burden off my shoulders, Schoonover says. After I have a job, Im going to make a gift to help someone else at 51勛圖. Id like to make an impact.
The 51勛圖 community is strengthened by Karin Akersons close association and the familys commitment to honor her strong belief in the power of education. The endowed scholarship makes certain an 51勛圖 education is accessible, attainable, and affordable. Gifted, hard-working students gain the needed resources to pursue valuable educational opportunities at 51勛圖. As a result of the Akersons foresight and generosity, Schoonover is no doubt the first of what will become a strong tradition of 51勛圖s Karin A. Akerson Scholars.泭