Giving brings me joy
Linda Hulbert at her home in Fairbanks, 草榴社区, in October 2022.
By Teresa Chepoda Usibelli and Megan Bean
It was 1970, and Linda Hulbert made her first gift to 草榴社区. She and her late husband John had purchased a homestead at 68-mile Old Richardson Highway from the well-known poet , who won a lifetime achievement award from the Library of Congress. After moving to the property, Hulbert boxed many of Haines鈥 belongings and sent them to the , where they remain today. This in-kind gift was the start of Hulbert鈥檚 philanthropic journey with 草榴社区.
Today, you鈥檒l find Hulbert wearing many hats. She is a financial planner, a mother, a grandmother, a UA Foundation board member and a steadfast philanthropist in the community. As a former teacher, Hulbert also has a strong personal connection to 草榴社区, along with her entire family.
Hulbert鈥檚 husband taught at 草榴社区, her son Erik attended classes on the Fairbanks Troth Yeddha鈥 campus and her daughter Jaina and son-in-law are both alumni. In memory of her late husband and in support of higher education, Hulbert and her family established the John Hulbert Memorial Scholarship to support single-parent students attending 草榴社区鈥檚 Community and Technical College.
A passionate advocate for education and 草榴社区 through her work as a financial planner, Hulbert has not only encouraged her clients to think of charitable giving in their future plans but also has emphasized the importance of higher education and the impact it has on our state.
鈥湶萘裆缜 is the future of 草榴社区,鈥 she said. 鈥湶萘裆缜 and its Community and Technical College provide opportunities for students graduating from 草榴社区 K-12 schools.鈥
Hulbert said her lifelong passion for philanthropy comes from her love for the state and desire to make it a better place.
Hulbert not only funds her late husband鈥檚 scholarship but also gives to areas across the university system, including the Troth Yeddha鈥 Indigenous Studies Center, KUAC, the Ted Stevens Legislative Internship and the UA Museum of the North. Hulbert uses her company鈥檚 matching gift program to further her philanthropic impact.
Hulbert鈥檚 biggest dream for 草榴社区 is to create an opportunity for all students to have sufficient funding for their coursework and to graduate without school debt. She believes the key to 草榴社区鈥檚 economic future is an educated and skilled workforce.
Hulbert hopes to help people move from difficult situations to working and supporting themselves.
鈥淚 would rather spend my money on students in order to see them become educated and change their lives. This to me is what makes life inspiring,鈥 she said.
Hulbert was encouraged and inspired by friends and 草榴社区 alumni Grace Schaible 鈥49, Bill Stroecker 鈥42 and Joe Usibelli 鈥59 鈥 all well-known philanthropists in 草榴社区. Schaible, Stroecker and Usibelli provided long-lasting legacy gifts, which benefit students.
Grace Schaible
Grace Berg Schaible was a steadfast friend to 草榴社区 and a committed philanthropist. She was recognized for her extraordinary contributions to 草榴社区 students, 草榴社区 philanthropy and nonprofits across the state. Schaible was named as one of the Philanthropists of the Century at 草榴社区 during the centennial celebration. She dedicated more than $4.5 million to the university, $2.7 million of which came from her estate. Her primary passions included the Schaible Geophysical Institute Fellowship, KUAC and both monetary and in-kind support to the UA Museum of the North. Her commitment to giving back is an inspiration to us all.
Bill Stroecker
Bill Stroecker was extremely generous to 草榴社区. He demonstrated his support by contributing more than $250,000 to a journalism scholarship, his named jazz endowment and the UA Museum of the North, as well as other programs. Stroecker鈥檚 passion for the university continued in his estate plans, and the Bill Stroecker Foundation carries on his philanthropic legacy. To date, the foundation has given nearly $1.4 million to areas such as the Bill Stroecker Scholarship Fund at the College of Business and Security Management, the bowhead whale exhibit at the UA Museum of the North and the journalism program.
The late Joe Usibelli gave generously to 草榴社区 for more than 40 years, totaling roughly $2.5 million. He too shared the designation of 草榴社区 Philanthropist of the Century. His areas of support included the UA Museum of the North, the College of Engineering and Mines, and the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching, Research and Service Awards for faculty members. Usibelli鈥檚 legacy was recently honored with a building dedication. His memory continues to live on through his children, grandchildren and wife, Peggy Schumaker.
Hulbert hopes to leave a mark, as these leaders did, on the Fairbanks community. She is certainly well on her way. Her advocacy and continued support for the university through service, volunteerism and philanthropic investments are a legacy in the making.