Donor Credits TU With Raising His Environmental Awareness and Helping Him Get Involved—Prompting Scholarship Creation 25 Years Later

Charlie Conklin established The Charlie Conklin Scholarship Fund as a tribute to the many volunteers from TU who support the Gunpowder Valley Conservancy (GVC). The Fund provides scholarship support to Environmental Science and Studies majors. It was the connection between environmentally conscious students and Charlie’s affinity for the Conservancy that moved him to make the gift. Over the years Charlie increased his support and added TU as a beneficiary of his estate.

Here's Charlie’s story.

Charlie Conklin’s connection to TU began 25 years ago when the Dean of the College of Science and Mathematics invited Charlie to a reception for Jane Wolfson, the first director of the Environmental Science and Studies program at TU. “And that was the beginning of my friendship with Jane and TU that continues to this day,” says Charlie.

A retired Bethlehem Steel manager, Charlie recalls how the creation of the Environmental Protection Act in 1970 changed his perspective. “The Act significantly altered the way in which Sparrows Point, the site of a very large industrial complex owned by Bethlehem Steel, controlled the operation of its facilities to protect air and water quality. This educated me more about what is necessary to reduce our negative impact on our earth for future generations.”

Becoming aware that environmental destruction was both global and local moved Charlie to address the problem. “I became committed to addressing environmental problems, and in 1990 my wife and I joined the GVC. They were leading local communities to take action to address changes in water quality,” he says.

Charlie has participated in environmental workshops and worked with TU students who volunteer at the GVC. “The students mainly planted trees,” he recounts. Student Capstone projects supported GVC initiatives and Charlie’s connection to Jane and her research led to a Russian Exchange Program in the early 2000s. “Our trips focused on water quality and sustainable forest management,” says Charlie.

And while Jane opened the door at TU for Charlie, he credits the “TU Team” of Natalia Fath, Lecturer in the Geospatial Research and Education Laboratory, for inviting him to give environmental presentations on Protecting Mother Earth for Future Generations; Louise Miller, Assistant VP, University Promotions & Events, for helping the GVC expand and improve its annual event; and Dave Vanko, Professor, Dept. of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences, for being his “go to” person in building the connection between the GVC and TU.

Charlie Conklin built relationships and learned about something what would become his passion—protecting the environment—thanks to the people of TU. He decided to give back to TU because of it. Contact Kathleen Hider at (410) 704-6287 or khider@towson.edu to discuss what your impact could be on the students of tomorrow.