Utah State University Surpasses Fundraising Goals With More Than $79 Million Raised Over Past Year

Utah State University achieved a remarkable fundraising milestone, securing $79.2 million through nearly 40,000 contributions from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026 — a significant rise in donations since 2019. Gifts came from more than 10,000 donors, including a record 17 gifts of $1 million or more. At the same time, more than $13.5 million came from donations under $25,000, reflecting the breadth of support from across the USU community.

“This year’s results reflect the extraordinary commitment of the Aggie community,” said Matt White, vice president for advancement and president of the USU Foundation. “More than 10,000 donors chose to invest in Utah State and the people and programs that move our university forward. That collective generosity creates opportunities for students today while building a stronger USU for generations to come.”

Creating Aggie Impact

Donors contributed more than $41.8 million toward “Building a University of Distinction,” supporting spaces and resources that strengthen the Utah State University experience. Among these investments is the Thomas and Patricia Willis Veterinary Medical Education Building, the central hub for USU’s College of Veterinary Medicine, featuring modern classrooms, laboratories, and clinical training spaces designed to support hands-on learning, research, and collaboration.

The building was named in recognition of a $5 million gift from Thomas and Patricia Willis, whose shared agricultural roots inspired their investment in veterinary education and workforce development. Their generosity, which also includes an endowment supporting the long-term success of the College of Veterinary Medicine, will help USU educate more veterinarians and address workforce needs, particularly in rural and agricultural communities throughout Utah and the Intermountain West.

Donors contributed $25 million to “Accelerate Access and Opportunities” for students. Among those donors is Daria Wightman, whose experiences at USU helped launch a career in wastewater treatment engineering and inspired her to establish the “daria” Clean Water Scholarship in the College of Engineering. The scholarship supports civil and environmental engineering students interested in water quality and environmental stewardship, helping future engineers pursue their education and prepare to address increasingly complex water challenges.

“My giving back to USU was inspired in part by seeing scholarships established by people who shaped my own path,” Wightman said. “I realized I could help future students the same way others helped me.”

Another $7.1 million supported “Elevating the Educational Experience” through faculty excellence. Alan and Jeanne Hall made a major gift through the Hall Foundation toward the Craig D. Jessop Chair for Choral Conducting and Community Engagement. When fully funded, the endowed position will help USU attract and retain distinguished faculty leadership in choral music while providing students with mentorship, performance, and professional development opportunities and strengthening connections between the university and broader community.

Donors contributed an additional $5.4 million toward “Developing Solutions to the World’s Challenges” through research and innovation. Chevron’s longstanding partnership with USU includes support for the Janet Quinney Lawson Institute for Land, Water, & Air, where philanthropic funding helps faculty and student researchers investigate issues affecting Utah’s natural resources and provide science-based information to decision-makers. Chevron’s support of the institute has surpassed $130,000 over the past six years, helping advance research on issues including air quality, Great Salt Lake dust, and Utahns' concerns about natural resources.

Scholarships Expand Student Opportunity

Scholarships are one way donor support directly expands access and opportunity for USU students. This year, 64 new endowed scholarships were created, distributing more than $6.1 million to assist over 2,500 students, and USU welcomed 36 first-time endowment donors. Expendable scholarships also provided more than $5.8 million to students.

For Justin and Leslie Haskell, seeing USU students work alongside entrepreneurs in the Dominican Republic demonstrated the transformative power of experiential learning. Inspired by that experience, they established the Justin & Leslie Haskell Family SEED Endowment to help future Aggies participate in the Small Enterprise Education and Development program. Through SEED, students apply classroom knowledge while mentoring entrepreneurs in developing communities. Students in the program gain professional skills and a broader understanding of how their education can improve lives. The Haskells’ endowment will help ensure those opportunities continue for generations of students.

Donor support also provides critical financial relief when students need it most. Secondary education major Elizabeth Leishman received the Lonnie & Cheryl Smith Scholarship, an expendable scholarship that is helping her reduce work hours and focus on student teaching as she completes her final semester at Utah State.

“This scholarship has helped a lot,” Leishman said. “Not having to worry as much about tuition and fees during this time has reduced a huge amount of stress. Knowing I can dedicate my time and energy to teaching rather than finances has been life-changing.”

University-Wide Support

Nearly 900 USU faculty and staff contributed almost $630,000, demonstrating their dedication to the university. Through Employee Giving, faculty and staff like Kirsten Barton, an accounting assistant in the Office of the Registrar, support students and programs across USU.

Kirsten gives through payroll deduction to the SNAC food pantry, where she sees students benefiting firsthand. Her experience demonstrates how even modest, recurring gifts can collectively make a meaningful difference.

“My contribution, combined with giving from other employees, is a simple way to make a collective difference,” Barton said.

Alumni giving remains a cornerstone of support. Aggies contributed $34.7 million through more than 4,500 gifts. Scott ’97 and Mindy ’97, ’05 Pratt exemplify this support. Drawing on their shared connection to agriculture and natural resources, the Pratts established two scholarships to support students. They have also created internship opportunities through their company. Their giving helps students gain hands-on experience, explore career paths, and connect their education with the landscapes and communities they hope to serve. Through their philanthropy and mentorship, the Pratts demonstrate how alumni can help prepare the next generation of Aggies for meaningful careers.

USU received donations from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and 28 counties within Utah. The highest totals came from Cache County with $16 million from about 3,000 donors, Salt Lake County with $13.1 million from more than 1,000 donors, and Davis County with $5.4 million from over 600 donors. Out-of-state donations were led by Kansas ($6.6 million), Montana ($6 million), and California ($3.3 million).

The Aggie License Plate Scholarship Program has also contributed nearly $3.5 million to student scholarships over its lifetime.

"Philanthropy expands what is possible at Utah State University,” said USU President Brad L. Mortensen. “The generosity of our alumni, employees, friends, and partners creates opportunities for students, supports the work of our faculty and staff, and strengthens our ability to serve communities across Utah. We are grateful for their confidence in Utah State and for the difference their generosity makes for our students and our state."

To learn more about how philanthropy creates Aggie impact — and the many ways to support Utah State University — visit usu.edu/advancement/.