Gearheart gives legacy gift of $100,000 to Northern

Press release

Leaving a legacy for generations to come, Hazel (Brown) Gearheart, of Kennewick, Washington, has gifted Montana State University-Northern $100,000.

The 93-year-old Gearheart, a Northern graduate of 1947, has designated the funds be used to support an endowment and, per her wishes, the MSU-Northern Foundation has created the Len and Hazel Gearheart Endowment, named after Hazel and her late husband, Len, who also graduated from Northern in 1949 with an associate degree after serving in the U.S. Navy in WWII.

Her endowment will continue to give in perpetuity supporting a new scholarship named the Len and Hazel Gearheart Endowed Scholarship. This fund will provide $3,000 every year henceforth for two $1,500 scholarships, one with preference given to Native American students from Montana tribes and one scholarship for students from Montana.

The Gearhearts ties to Northern are multi-generational.

“Northern ran in the family,” Hazel Gearheart said. “My brother attended and one of Len’s sisters and brothers did also. And many of our classmates went to Northern, too.”

Because of this close association, she said, she felt it was fitting to give back to the school. It was an appropriate way to show her gratitude on behalf of herself and Len.

And this isn’t their first time sharing generously to support Montanan’s or Native American students. Over the years, the Gearhearts have provided support to the St. Labre Indian School in Ashland.

“Northern thanks Hazel Gearheart for her generous support.” Northern Chancellor Greg Kegel said. “This gift will do what we strive to do at Northern — raise people up and set them on a path to success.”

Having Len and Hazel Geaharts’s name on this gift together, forever, is fitting as they were together for close to a century. Len, aka “Lynn,” and Hazel met in second grade in Chinook. They were together for 84 years, including 68 years of marriage before Len’s death in 2019.

“It’s always very touching to hear stories like that of the Gearhearts,” said Shantel Cronk, executive director for the MSU-Northern Foundation. “Hazel is helping to lift up students and at the same time celebrating her love with Len. It’s very sweet and meaningful to receive this gracious gift.”

Len and Hazel Gearheart lived most of their adult life in Washington State. They have three children, 13 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. Their legacy will live on, together, at Northern.

The MSU-Northern Foundation is a 501(c)3 with the mission to engage alumni and friends of the University, enrich student experiences and provide ethical stewardship while supporting the University’s strategic goals.