Before Dave Seidl, ’85, enrolled at the Colorado State University Foundation, he took a job at a packaging plant.

“Working in that factory, I decided this isn’t what I want to do for the rest of my life,” he says.

Instead, the Littleton, Colorado, native attended community college and eventually transferred to CSU to study chemical engineering. Dave was the first in his family to graduate from college.

“If it hadn’t been for two professors – the late Vince Murphy and former department head Dr. Jud Harper – I might not have made it through,” Dave says. “They pushed me, but always provided encouragement.”

Their mentorship paid off. Dave took a job at Lockheed Martin after graduating, and spent 35 years there, working on satellites, telescopes, and classified projects. Not surprisingly, Dave is passionate about STEM careers.

“We need to continue to support STEM education,” he says. “That’s the future.”

To help with these efforts, Dave and his wife, Kelly, will establish an endowed STEM scholarship through a gift in their estate.

“We saw that our gift will go directly to benefit the students,” Dave says. “I hope that kids who wouldn’t otherwise have the opportunity will get STEM degrees and contribute to society.”

Dave and Kelly say that creating the scholarship through their estate plan was not only simple, but also enjoyable.

“It really is very satisfying that we will be making a difference,” he says. “And who knows? Maybe one of the students we support will make a huge discovery that changes the world.”

Whether you’re passionate about STEM, the liberal arts, agronomy, or have another area of interest, we can help you fulfill your philanthropic goals. You can make a gift through your estate plan (as the Seidls did) or consider a gift of real estate, life insurance, securities, or an IRA beneficiary designation. To learn more, contact the Office of Gift Planning at (970) 491-4254 or giftplanning@colostate.edu.