When Gary Kane, ’69, first attended Northern Arizona University in the 1960s, study abroad programs were rare, particularly for students from modest backgrounds. Today, Kane is transforming that reality for NAU students through five scholarships he funds annually, opening doors to international experiences in history, comparative cultural studies, fine arts, English, and languages and cultural studies.
Kane, who holds a BA in English and spent two decades teaching at Folsom Prison, has always believed in the power of education to broaden horizons. His passion for study abroad began in 2009 at a family reunion, where he heard about a cousin’s son studying in Barcelona. “I thought, ‘What an amazing opportunity,’” he recalled. “I would’ve loved to study abroad when I was a student.”
That moment, paired with his love of NAU, led him to eventually establish the first of his five scholarships in English. Since 2019, Kane has donated appreciated stocks to NAU annually to fund study abroad experiences.
“Something as simple as a stock symbol in a donor’s portfolio with a designated number of shares in front of it, transferred to NAU, turns into a once-in-a-lifetime scholarship experience that those students will never forget. What a great way to gift appreciated stocks,” said Kane, who also partially reduces capital gains taxes on his investments by donating.
Among the recent scholarship recipients is Jose Rivers, ’24. who graduated with a BFA in ceramics last year. For his final semester, Rivers studied abroad in Japan, where he deepened his artistic practice and explored the rich history of Japanese ceramics.
Another recipient, Melanie Goetter, ’27, an English education major, reflected on her experience in the Netherlands: “My program had an extremely diverse group of future teachers from many cultures. The experience opened my eyes to all the similarities we share despite where we come from. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. I’ve grown so much as a person and as a future teacher.”
Kane’s generosity doesn’t end with annual giving. Through a Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT), he has also ensured that his scholarships will continue long after his lifetime. A CRUT allows donors to convert appreciated assets into annual income while designating the remainder to charity—in this case, NAU scholarships.
For Kane, it all comes back to creating opportunities to enhance the liberal arts education provided by the degrees offered in the College of Arts and Letters. “These scholarships are about all the serendipitous things that can happen when you’re outside your country, outside your comfort zone, and away from the people you know,” he said. “They can broaden perspectives and introduce students to new ideas and ways of doing things.”
Thanks to Kane’s generosity and vision, NAU students are immersing themselves in new cultures and transforming their futures both today and for generations to come.
