Smith’s efforts made a difference in many ways for students in the HSU Department of Forestry and Wildland Resources where she served as administrative support coordinator for half of her 14 years at Humboldt State. One of her most prominent efforts was steering them toward education funding sources that they might not otherwise secure.
Knowing her passion for student success, professors Pascal Berrill and Christa Dagley decided that establishing a scholarship in Gayleen Smith’s name would be an appropriate memorial for the “Forestry Mother,” who succumbed to cancer in 2013.
“Gayleen was such a caring and attentive person,” Dagley said. “You could walk through the door and she would quickly recognize just what you needed. She constantly did that for faculty, staff, and students, whether it was a school, work, or personal issue she was there for you and wanted to help in any way. We felt it was important to do something to honor her and this is what she would have wanted, to continue helping HSU forestry students.”
Since the Gayleen Smith Memorial Scholarship was established, contributions from faculty and staff co-workers of Gayleen, current and former students and their parents, local forest companies, and her husband, John, who worked in the plant operations department, have helped the fund gradually grow. When fully endowed at the $25,000 level, the scholarship will provide an annual award of $1,000 to a student that demonstrates financial need, a positive “can-do” attitude, involvement in extracurricular department activities/clubs, and commitment to their education and plans for a career in forestry, hydrology, range, or soils.
To accelerate the path to endowment, FWR faculty and students have pursued creative fundraising endeavors. For example, the Forestry Club contributed money from its annual Christmas tree sale and the Range and Soils Club donated profits from club t-shirt sales. Most recent is the selling of firewood from a variable retention study involving both forestry faculty and students. All of the proceeds from the firewood sale will be going toward the scholarship. People interested in purchasing firewood can email Berrill (pberrill@humboldt.edu) or Dagley (christa.dagley@humboldt.edu) for more information.
“Gayleen’s favorite time of year was spring, and I think that was because that’s when we held our banquet and announced the scholarship awards,” said Berrill, professor of Silviculture & Restoration. “She took it upon herself to make sure students got all their scholarship applications in on time, even those who weren’t confident enough to feel that they would even be considered. So many would never have received funding if it hadn’t been for Gayleen.”
Testament to Smith’s devotion to students was a gathering of more than 75 students who turned out to have their photograph taken for a card that was then delivered during the late stages of her illness.
To learn more about the Gayleen Smith Memorial Scholarship Endowment or to make a contribution, visit the Giving to HSU website or call (707) 826-5101.