Giving brings me joy
Linda Hulbert at her home in Fairbanks, Alaska, in October 2022.
By Teresa Chepoda Usibelli and Megan Bean
It was 1970, and Linda Hulbert made her first gift to UAF. She and her late husband John had purchased a homestead at 68-mile Old Richardson Highway from the well-known poet John Haines, who won a lifetime achievement award from the Library of Congress. After moving to the property, Hulbert boxed many of Haines’ belongings and sent them to the UAF archives, where they remain today. This in-kind gift was the start of Hulbert’s philanthropic journey with UAF.
Today, you’ll find Hulbert wearing many hats. She is a financial planner, a mother, a grandmother, a UA Foundation board member and a steadfast philanthropist in the community. As a former teacher, Hulbert also has a strong personal connection to UAF, along with her entire family.
Hulbert’s husband taught at UAF, her son Erik attended classes on the Fairbanks Troth Yeddha’ campus and her daughter Jaina and son-in-law are both alumni. In memory of her late husband and in support of higher education, Hulbert and her family established the John Hulbert Memorial Scholarship to support single-parent students attending UAF’s Community and Technical College.
A passionate advocate for education and UAF through her work as a financial planner, Hulbert has not only encouraged her clients to think of charitable giving in their future plans but also has emphasized the importance of higher education and the impact it has on our state.
“UAF is the future of Alaska,” she said. “UAF and its Community and Technical College provide opportunities for students graduating from Alaska K-12 schools.”
Hulbert said her lifelong passion for philanthropy comes from her love for the state and desire to make it a better place.
Hulbert not only funds her late husband’s scholarship but also gives to areas across the university system, including the Troth Yeddha’ Indigenous Studies Center, KUAC, the Ted Stevens Legislative Internship and the UA Museum of the North. Hulbert uses her company’s matching gift program to further her philanthropic impact.
Hulbert’s biggest dream for UAF is to create an opportunity for all students to have sufficient funding for their coursework and to graduate without school debt. She believes the key to Alaska’s economic future is an educated and skilled workforce.
Hulbert hopes to help people move from difficult situations to working and supporting themselves.
“I would rather spend my money on students in order to see them become educated and change their lives. This to me is what makes life inspiring,” she said.
Hulbert was encouraged and inspired by friends and UAF alumni Grace Schaible ‘49, Bill Stroecker ‘42 and Joe Usibelli ‘59 — all well-known philanthropists in Alaska. Schaible, Stroecker and Usibelli provided long-lasting legacy gifts, which benefit students.
Grace Schaible
Grace Berg Schaible was a steadfast friend to UAF and a committed philanthropist. She was recognized for her extraordinary contributions to UAF students, Alaska philanthropy and nonprofits across the state. Schaible was named as one of the Philanthropists of the Century at UAF during the centennial celebration. She dedicated more than $4.5 million to the university, $2.7 million of which came from her estate. Her primary passions included the Schaible Geophysical Institute Fellowship, KUAC and both monetary and in-kind support to the UA Museum of the North. Her commitment to giving back is an inspiration to us all.
Bill Stroecker
Bill Stroecker was extremely generous to UAF. He demonstrated his support by contributing more than $250,000 to a journalism scholarship, his named jazz endowment and the UA Museum of the North, as well as other programs. Stroecker’s passion for the university continued in his estate plans, and the Bill Stroecker Foundation carries on his philanthropic legacy. To date, the foundation has given nearly $1.4 million to areas such as the Bill Stroecker Scholarship Fund at the College of Business and Security Management, the bowhead whale exhibit at the UA Museum of the North and the journalism program.
The late Joe Usibelli gave generously to UAF for more than 40 years, totaling roughly $2.5 million. He too shared the designation of UAF Philanthropist of the Century. His areas of support included the UA Museum of the North, the College of Engineering and Mines, and the Emil Usibelli Distinguished Teaching, Research and Service Awards for faculty members. Usibelli’s legacy was recently honored with a building dedication. His memory continues to live on through his children, grandchildren and wife, Peggy Schumaker.
Hulbert hopes to leave a mark, as these leaders did, on the Fairbanks community. She is certainly well on her way. Her advocacy and continued support for the university through service, volunteerism and philanthropic investments are a legacy in the making.