The Keith Berman and Nora Chen Scholarship supports students majoring in Environmental Resources Engineering and Environmental Science & Management. The commitment began with an initial $10,500 gift, which continues to grow each year through additional contributions. For Berman and his wife, Nora, the decision was substantially driven by their confidence that students with these academic majors are being very well prepared to fill an urgent need for environmental leadership.
"I believe in human capital," Berman says. "Of course, it takes money to get most big things accomplished. But more important than money is the people with the skills and vision to make those big things happen. We need leaders and doers."
Berman is not a Cal Poly Humboldt alum; he was a Biology major at UC Berkeley and earned master’s degrees in public health and business administration at UCLA. His connection to Cal Poly Humboldt is through his son, Mark ('19, Music), who chose Humboldt over several other universities. He saw Mark thrive, gaining confidence and knowledge that he has put to use in his life after college.
In addition to his current career in the trades, Mark and a friend have pooled their resources to invest in residential rental units in a northeastern Rust Belt city.
“Mark told me he decided to focus on that city on the other side of the country based entirely on what he learned in his environmental studies classes at Humboldt. And guess what? Those things he learned at Humboldt are already paying off,” Berman says.
Over the last few decades, Berman has closely followed the warnings of climate scientists. He agrees that the environmental impacts of climate change are among the most critical challenges facing society today and in the future.
"We all care about the future of our children and their children," Berman says. "So we should all be especially appreciative of how well Cal Poly Humboldt faculty are preparing their students both to understand and address our climate-driven environmental challenges."
Berman is also acutely aware of the financial difficulties many students face while pursuing their education. Through his son, he heard stories about students who could not afford to stay and were forced to leave the university.
"That is a tragedy," Berman says. "And I wanted to do something about it. I hope my contribution can help a few students focus more of their energies on their studies than on financial survival.”
Every time Berman reads about faculty research, student projects, or innovative sustainability efforts on campus, he says he feels encouraged.
"I think this is a school that has its priorities right," Berman says.
His confidence in the University is so strong that he donates exclusively to Cal Poly Humboldt.
“I believe Cal Poly Humboldt is one of the jewels of the California State University system. Why? Because of the extraordinary focus it places on our environment and the future of our planet."
Today, Berman continues to increase his support and is exploring additional ways to contribute in the future. He sees philanthropy as an opportunity to help students become the scientists, engineers and other problem-solvers the world needs.
For those considering supporting scholarships at Cal Poly Humboldt, his message is simple:
"Look closely at the need and the things this school is doing, and consider creating your own scholarship to help Cal Poly Humboldt students succeed. But however you decide to do it, please give generously—for the good of our children, our society, and our collective future."
To learn more about establishing a scholarship at Cal Poly Humboldt, contact the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation at giving@humboldt.edu or (707) 826-5200.