Ģ������Ƶ

When Ģ������Ƶ Chancellor Kelli R. Brown unveiled plans for a comprehensive fundraising campaign shortly after her arrival in 2019, she prioritized seeking philanthropic support for enhancements to the overall student experience, including academics, athletics and community and global engagement.

As the “Fill the Western Sky” campaign enters its public phase, Brown is putting her money where her priorities are. She and husband Dennis recently made an estate gift of $4 million that will benefit 11 university funds.

The Browns’ leadership gift will support endowments for scholarships for first-generation students; military student services; academic programming; student-athletes and athletics facilities; the marching band; and student success and emergency funds. The estate gift is in addition to $100,000 toward athletics facilities renovations from the Browns in 2023.

“During our short time here, Dennis and I have learned what a difference Ģ������Ƶmakes in the lives of students. We have seen the transformative effect it has for students, their families and ultimately the communities in which they live,” she said. “We wanted to have an impact on the full student experience.”

One of the new endowed funds is in honor of her father and supports military students, while a portion of the gift goes toward a previously established scholarship fund in honor of her mother.

“My parents guided, nudged and supported me in so many ways. They were always there for us kids, and one thing was certain – we were going to college,” she said. “My dad served in the Air Force as a captain, and he was a member of ROTC while in college, which helped support his degree. I wanted to support our students who are current military, veterans and reservists. Without these young men and women defending our democracy, the United States may look very different.”

For Dennis Brown, a first-generation college student, philanthropy was not a part of his formative years, as is the case for many Ģ������Ƶalumni and donors of modest means who tend to focus on simply paying the bills.

“My parents came from very humble beginnings and did not even finish high school. My siblings and I were raised like my parents — success in life came by being honest and hard-working. Education beyond high school was seldom discussed because of the cost and the need to support our family,” he said.

Possessing a shared eagerness to learn, he and his siblings found ways to attend college. “My degree changed my life,” he said. “Being first-generation and experiencing the success my degree has afforded me, and knowing the number of first-generation students that Ģ������Ƶserves, it has become important for me to give back and transform the lives of our students and their families.”

While selecting what areas to support through their estate gift, the Browns agreed it was important to include improvements to Catamount athletics facilities — a top campaign priority.

“Western takes great pride in providing students with an overall college experience that is second to none. Athletics is an important part of the total college experience. It enhances visibility that allows us to recruit and retain students,” she said. “I am asking alumni and friends to support our athletics facilities, and it only seemed appropriate that Dennis and I contribute as well. We need to walk the talk.”