MISSOULA – Conservation initiatives and a global leadership program will benefit from a $24 million donation to the University of Montana.
The naming donation from Bill and Carolyn Franke and their children would go to the College of Forestry and Conservation and the Global Leadership Initiative, reported The Missoulian.
“The amazing thing about these people is they are not UM alums and they have no connection to the University of Montana prior to the discussions that led to this particular gift,” said President Royce Engstrom.
The Franke family lives in Arizona and has a home in Montana.
“The Frankes have a deep interest in conservation, so from the beginning, conservation was a theme of our conversations, as was student engagement,” Engstrom said.
Members of the Faculty Senate unanimously approved the donation.
It will next be considered by the Montana Board of Regents when they are scheduled to meet Nov. 17 and 18.
The donation will go toward fellowships, scholarships, endowed faculty chairs, and other projects.