At Utah State University, the spirit of giving isn’t just something encouraged — it’s something lived out daily by the very people who power the institution. Through the Employee Giving program, faculty and staff are shaping the university’s future not only through their work but also through their personal commitment to giving back.
Faculty and staff form the backbone of USU’s teaching, research and service mission, and their generosity reflects a shared belief in paying it forward. In 2024-25 alone, employees made 1,071 gifts through the Employee Giving Program — a powerful reflection of that shared commitment. Whether through small payroll deductions or targeted gifts, employee contributions collectively create meaningful impact across campus — supporting students, strengthening programs and advancing research.
For many, that impact is deeply personal.
“I’ve thought about giving back to the university and helping students since I graduated,” said Kirsten Barton, accounting assistant in the Office of the Registrar. “When I first heard about the Employee Giving program, I knew that making a gift through payroll deduction was the easiest way to give. It’s automatic and I don’t even have to think about it. I feel like my contribution, combined with giving from other employees, is a simple way to make a collective difference.”
That collective difference becomes tangible in everyday moments. Barton sees it firsthand in the Taggart Student Center, where students benefit from resources such as the SNAC food pantry, a program she supports.
“I often see students carrying groceries after visiting SNAC,” Barton said. “I’m happy to know that my gift helps provide food to students.”
For others, giving is rooted in gratitude and a desire to extend opportunity to future generations.
“As educators, my wife and I are deeply grateful for the opportunities our experiences as students at USU provided,” said Brian Warnick, professor in the Applied Sciences, Technology and Education department of the S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. “Giving back, even in a small way, is meaningful to us, with the hope that it can help future educators complete their degrees and begin careers that positively influence young people’s lives.”
That sense of purpose, of investing in something larger than oneself, is a common thread among employee donors.
“I view the Employee Giving program as a way to ‘pay it forward,’” said Aimee Lauritsen, archives and special collections curator and LLC building manager for the Library & Learning Commons at USU Eastern. “There are so many students who do not have the financial means to support themselves through school. This is a way they can find that support.”
For Lauritsen, giving is also a continuation of a family legacy.
“My mother worked for the university for 30 years and always gave to the scholarship fund,” Lauritsen said. “She felt it was the least she could do since scholarships helped her children through school. I’m proud to continue that legacy and support others in pursuing their education.”
Employees across campus, whether they work directly with students or behind the scenes, see how even small efforts can shape the Aggie experience.
“Through my role, I see every day how much dedication goes into supporting students,” said Teresa Seeholzer, executive assistant in the Office of Research. “I’m reminded that small efforts can make a big difference in someone’s experience at USU.”
For Natalie Archibald Smoot, director of staff excellence in the College of Arts & Sciences, giving back is both personal and transformative.
“This university truly changed my life,” she said. “I’m grateful for the education, mentorship and opportunities that shaped my career and sense of purpose. Supporting USU through giving feels like a way to pay that forward — investing in students and programs that create life-changing experiences, just as they did for me.”
Together, these stories reflect a powerful truth: employee giving is not defined by the size of a gift, but by the shared commitment behind it. When faculty and staff unite in support of students and programs, their collective generosity strengthens the entire Aggie community.
Create Your Aggie Impact
Faculty and staff know firsthand the difference that support can make in a student’s journey. By participating in employee giving, you help expand opportunity, strengthen programs, and invest in the future of Utah State. Join your colleagues in creating lasting impact — because when we give together, we build something extraordinary.
