From Gratitude to Generosity: The Parkers' Story

Dennis and Julie Parker talk about giving as a way of life — one rooted in family, faith, gratitude and the steady belief that the best things in life are meant to be shared.

When Dennis reflects on why generosity has always mattered to him, he doesn’t point to a single moment or milestone. Instead, he describes a life shaped by uplifting others, including, serving and helping out wherever there is a need.

“That’s just who I’ve become,” Dennis said. “A way of moving through the world that leaves room for people, relationships and gratitude to grow.”

That spirit is now shaping a lasting impact at Utah State University through support for two places that helped form the Parkers’ story: the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business and the College of Arts and Sciences. Through a combination of endowed funds and expendable support, Dennis and Julie are investing directly in students — strengthening programs today while creating opportunities that will endure for years to come.

A Foundation Built at Utah State

Dennis grew up on a dairy farm where material resources were limited but values were not.

“We were poor in material things,” Dennis said, “but we were rich in love and family relationships and never wanted for food.”

Education became the bridge between that beginning and the life that followed. Dennis earned his accounting degree from Utah State in 1967, and that decision shaped not only his career but also his relationships and sense of purpose.

“Education at USU was the stepping stone for being able to have material things,” Dennis said. “But much more than that, it opened the door to relationships I will value far beyond this life.”

Those relationships — with mentors, faculty, partners and friends — taught Dennis lessons that extended well beyond the classroom. He learned that leadership means inclusion, that success is meant to be shared and that gratitude carries responsibility.

Leadership That Lifts Others

The Parkers’ support for the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business reflects Dennis’ belief in leadership as service, especially for students who are willing to give of their time and talents while still in school.

“I like giving to Beta Alpha Psi because it helps students develop leadership qualities,” Dennis said.

For Dennis, those leadership qualities aren’t abstract. They are built through real experiences with organizing events, serving in the community, mentoring peers and learning how to show up for others.

“These are students who are willing to share their time helping others,” Dennis said. “I hope in the future they will be willing to help others on their career path.”

Through both endowed and expendable support, the Parkers are helping ensure that students in the Huntsman School have access to leadership development opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach — experiences that shape both careers and character.

Art, Beauty and Gratitude

While Dennis’ giving to business reflects his professional journey, the Parkers’ support for the College of Arts and Sciences is deeply personal.

“Both Julie and I love art,” Dennis said.

As Dennis describes it, Julie — a Utah State alumna who earned her degree in art — has filled their homes and lives with beauty through her creativity. Over the years, her oil paintings, along with the art the Parkers have collected, have become a way of preserving precious memories, deep emotions and meaningful connections. Her paintings grace the homes of family members and friends, and Dennis says she finds as much joy in giving her artwork away as she does in creating it.

In Dennis’s view, Julie’s generosity is not limited to her art. It is simply part of who she is. He describes her as someone who gives freely of her time, her talent and her attention — and who brings people together with ease and warmth.

People of all ages enjoy spending time with Julie, Dennis said. Many young people, in particular, have found in her a steady presence and a listening ear, with more than a few referring to her affectionately as their “second mother.” According to Dennis, their home has long been a place of art, games, laughter and shared life experiences — a space where people feel welcomed, valued and known.

For Dennis, supporting art students at Utah State was a natural expression of his gratitude for the beauty Julie has brought into their lives.

“The endowment to the art school was my way of showing Julie appreciation for all the beauty she has brought to our homes and lives,” Dennis said. “The best way to show this was to give to others who share her same talent.”

Through endowed support in the arts, the Parkers are helping students develop their creative voices while easing the financial barriers that often accompany an arts education. Dennis sees this gift as a reflection of Julie’s legacy — one built not on recognition, but on creativity, generosity and the quiet joy of sharing beauty with others.

Giving as a Way of Life

Throughout his life, Dennis has been shaped by people who modeled generosity long before he had the means to practice it himself. Mentors included him, invested in him and showed him what it looks like to make others feel seen and valued.

He once asked how he could ever repay that kindness, and the answer stayed with him: When you are able, do the same for others.

“I have really tried to live by that,” Dennis said.

That philosophy extends far beyond formal philanthropy. It shows how Dennis and Julie welcome people into their home, quietly help others in moments of need and measure what truly matters.

“Sometimes relationships are more meaningful than financial gifts,” Dennis said.

And yet, when paired with intention, generosity can do both: strengthening relationships and creating opportunity at the same time.

A Legacy Lived, Not Delayed

For Dennis and Julie, giving to Utah State University is not about recognition or obligation. It is about gratitude, responsibility and example.

“I do not consider us rich, but we have a little more that can be shared with others,” Dennis said.

They wanted their children and grandchildren to see that generosity is a source of joy and that happiness grows when it is shared.

By choosing to invest now through endowed and expendable support, the Parkers can engage directly with the programs and students they care about and witness the impact of their giving as it unfolds.

In the end, their story is not just about philanthropy. It is about a life shaped by education, relationships and service — and the belief that giving expands your sense of purpose and deepens the relationships that matter most.

Utah State students come from all walks of life, and many rely on scholarships and program support to stay on their academic path. When you Create Your Aggie Impact, your gift — whether endowed for lasting impact or expendable to meet immediate needs — helps students access opportunity, achieve their goals and build a stronger future.