Carl “Chip” (‘78, Natural Resources) and Kareen Moriarty-Kalvin (‘99, Liberal Studies, ‘09, M.A. Education) are dedicated to protecting the environment from the impact of climate change. In gratitude for the doors opened by their education, they gifted a $1 million bequest from their estate to support environmental research at Cal Poly Humboldt.
“There are plans for creating clean energy resources, like wind farms and hydrogen fuels, which are steps in the right direction. However, none of this would be possible without innovative minds capable of developing and inspiring these ideas, and this kind of progress requires funding. An institution like Cal Poly Humboldt is a game changer,” Chip Kalvin says. “The University is a leader in cutting-edge research and much of that starts with students. If you can provide resources to support students’ aspirations to develop solutions for challenges such as the climate crisis, then they’re worth investing in.”
The Kalvins’ bequest will be used for research to protect and sustain Earth’s environment within the College of Natural Resources & Sciences.
Chip developed his passion for environmental sustainability as a student at Humboldt, where he had a diverse education as a Natural Resources major. His classes ranged from chemistry to botany, wildlife, soils, geology, and physical geography, which helped him in his career.
After graduating from Humboldt and having experience fighting fires and inventorying forests for the U.S. Forest Service Chip worked for Natural Resources Management Co. cruising the newly acquired forest extension to Redwood National Park. He enhanced a fixed wing pilot's license with commercial licenses for airplanes and helicopters and he instructed others until taking employment with Richard B. Davis Co. in Crescent City, California.
For 13 years Chip prepared and flew airplane projects to take large-format photography for photogrammetric mapping, volumetrics, and land management. Chip participated in R&D to use a helicopter for ultra-low altitude photogrammetry achieving sub-centimeter accuracy for highway and breakwater studies. He assisted with company land surveying, cartography, and photo lab production.
In 1998 a change of career resulted in 13 years of flying helicopters in southeast Alaska using his Humboldt education and flying skills to teach international tour passengers about local natural history. He was involved in videography for BBC, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic. Additionally, he performed medivac flights throughout southeast Alaska.
Kareen attended College of the Redwoods in Crescent City while raising her two sons and working at Richard B. Davis Company using Chip’s aerial photography to create maps and to perform volume studies of forest products. She transferred to Humboldt and earned a BA in Liberal Studies Elementary Education. Then as an intern earned both general and special education teaching credentials at CSU Monterey Bay. Kareen and Chip worked together at the Davis Co. before she attended College at Humboldt and Monterrey. In 2003, they reconnected then married, so she moved back to Crescent City where she continued her education career as a special education and independent/homeschool teacher. In 2009, she returned to Humboldt to earn her MA in Education.
Chip and Kareen recently celebrated their 20th anniversary and are both retired. They daily enjoy walking and biking in the redwoods and by the ocean cherishing this environment. They are proud to make this bequest to help researchers at Cal Poly Humboldt to protect it.
A bequest may be the right choice for donors who are looking to make a gift to the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation and want the flexibility to change their minds. It also offers continued access to their assets making it a suitable option for donors concerned about outliving their resources.
To learn more about how your estate gift can make a positive influence on future generations of Cal Poly Humboldt students, visit giving.humboldt.edu, call (707)826-5200, or email giving@humboldt.edu.