How a Lifetime of Giving Began With $5
Paying It Forward Is the Bedrock of Alum’s Support
Karl Marlowe and his wife. Karl received scholarships while studying geology at Fort Lewis College. He’s paying it forward with a planned gift that will support future geoscientists.
“Don’t forget your school.”
It was 1984 and Karl Marlowe’s professor shared those words of wisdom with him as he graduated from Fort Lewis College. Karl took them to heart: He’s been a dedicated supporter of FLC the past 40 years, from hiring many fellow graduates to consistently giving to Geology programs.
“I had financial aid all through college,” says Karl, who majored in geology. “It meant that I got out of college with pretty minimal debt that I paid off pretty quick. I had a couple of scholarships, and I just want to give back.”
Fort Lewis provided Karl with a well-rounded education that included fundamental skills he learned through rigorous hands-on experiences in the field school. It laid a rock-solid foundation for a longtime career, culminating in the role of principal geologist at Barrick Gold Corporation. His work took him throughout the western United States and internationally, including to Guyana, Argentina and the Yukon.
Karl retired from Barrick in December 2023 and established his own consulting company.
Over the years, Karl has never forgotten his Fort Lewis College roots. He made his first gift of $5 in 1987 and has loyally given since.
Karl Marlowe made his first gift to Fort Lewis College in 1987—it was $5. He’s since extended his commitment with a planned gift benefiting the Geosciences Department and field school.
Karl deepened his commitment by designating Fort Lewis College Foundation as the beneficiary of his IRA to specifically support the Geosciences Department and field school. Some of the inspiration came from his late sister-in-law, who made a similar gift to charities, he says.
He’s happy that since FLC is tax-exempt, his entire donation will be used to support future generations of geoscientists.
“I want to help somebody else in the same manner that I got help,” Karl says.
Pay It Forward
Like Karl, you can make a difference in the lives of FLC students for generations to come. To learn more about your planned giving options, contact Dave Kerns ’03 at 970-247-7427 or kerns_d@fortlewis.edu today.