We are elated to share the establishment of the Allen Foundation Presidential Endowed Graduate Fellowship in Honor of the Casarotto Family in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Utah.
Founded in 1991, The Allen Foundation aims to continue the legacy of generosity and community involvement of their founder, Marion Mathis Allen. Marion was known throughout her life for her philanthropic commitment and active participation in numerous charities and organizations. The Foundation is now a nationwide philanthropic organization, with Marion’s grandson, David Casarotto, serving as Chairman of The Allen Foundation’s Board. The foundation continues to keep Marion’s memory alive and honoring her by helping multiple charities and causes each year.
‘In all our efforts, we seek to remain true to the principles of our founder, Marion Allen, who
created The Allen Foundation to encourage, both literally and metaphorically, “a house built
with love.”’ – The Allen Foundation
The establishment of this Fellowship represents a significant investment in the next generation of scientific leaders. Its purpose is to support and promote excellence in graduate research in the Department of Chemistry at the University. Through a permanent Endowment, this Fellowship will provide ongoing expendable funds to support graduate recipients’ research and other academic activities. The Fellowship is to be awarded to students demonstrating transformational research initiatives, undergraduate and graduate education, and community outreach. This will allow exceptional students to pursue advanced research, explore innovative ideas, and contribute to furthering knowledge in this crucial field. The financial support afforded by this fellowship will alleviate the burden of tuition and living expenses, allowing students to focus on their studies and research without undue financial strain. This will undoubtedly attract the most promising and talented individuals to our department, furthering our scientific research and accomplishments.
Furthermore, the Allen Foundation donation to an Endowed Fellowship will have a lasting impact on the quality of the chemistry program at Utah, as a percentage of the endowment is reinvested to ensure that the Fellowship remains financially strong for the future.
The Department of Chemistry has a vision of expanding our endowed fellowships to support every graduate student in the upcoming years. This is a significant challenge, but thanks to contributions from generous members of our community, like the Casarotto family, we can make our vision a reality.
Learn more about the Allen Foundation.
4/21/2025