Opportunities to Give
Opportunities to Give
Your gift of any amount goes a long way in directly impacting UND Aerospace students. From competition teams to weather balloon research, there are many ways to make a difference.
John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Initiative Fund
John Alan Hauser of Chicago passed away on October 18, 2021 after 19 years of a joy - and love-filled life. He was active in basketball, baseball, and piano early in his life and made the honor roll at Northside College Prep High School in Chicago. John developed a passion for rowing and joined the Chicago Rowing Foundation team, where he made many close friends. After graduating from high school, he pursued his second passion, a love of flying, by majoring in commercial aviation at the University of North Dakota, where he also enjoyed the camaraderie of his Delta Tau Delta fraternity brothers.
John lived with integrity and was fearless in speaking out about what mattered to him. He made friends easily and then was steadfastly loyal to them, demonstrating his love through actions as well as words. Hard work came naturally to him at a young age, and neighbors will recall the early morning rhythmic scraping of his snow shovel moving slowly up and down the block. Later, he moved on to jobs such as umpiring, delivering food, scooping ice cream, and finally working as a health aid. In between school, work and flying, he found time to enjoy long road trips with his friends or family to National Parks.
Adapted from John Hauser's obituary published on dignitymemorial.com
Shortly after John's death, his family established the John A. Hauser Mental Health in Aviation Initiative Fund, which provides steady support for these efforts far into the future and increases the capacity to affect change. The University of North Dakota is committed to using gifts made to the John A. Hauser Mental health in Aviation Initiative Fund to support mental health in aviation, including:
Aviation Mental Health Symposium - Since its inaugural event in 2021, UND has been involved in planning and hosting this annual event that brings together mental health and aviation professionals from across the nation to discuss and strategize mental health solutions in the industry.
UpLift Peer Support Program - A student-led program at the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences that offers mental health support to aviation students from their own peers. It's the first of its kind for an educational aviation institution.
Green Bandana Project - The green bandana tied onto a backpack serves as a symbol: the one wearing it is trained and open to talk about mental health. The Green Bandana Project at UND is a campus-wide effort. Already, hundreds of students have been trained to offer mental health peer support and plans are underway to train more.
These efforts will not only support UND students but will also help establish a national model for best practices regarding mental health in aviation that other flight training organizations can look to for guidance and program implementation.
Annual Fund
Support the area of greatest need within the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences.
Aerobatic Team
Support the UND Aerobatic Team with a contribution to the UND Aerobatic Team Fund.
ESSP Community Garden
The UND Urban Community Garden grows affordable, fresh produce for the UND community.
Frozen Force Air Race Classic Team
The UND Frozen Force team competes annually in the Air Race Classic to preserve and promote the tradition of pioneering women in aviation.
Flying Team
Support the UND Flying Team's tradition of excellence by giving today.
Weather Balloon Initiative
Your support goes to the Atmospheric Science Priority Needs Fund which helps financially support programs like the Weather Balloon initiative.
Women in Aviation International Kay Lawrence Scholarship
Kathryn "Kay" Lawrence, a 1941 graduate, was the first woman to earn a pilot's license from UND. During World War II Kay was selected as a Women Airforce Service Pilot (WASP). Tragically, she was one of the 38 WASPs who lost their lives serving their country. In honor of Ms. Lawrence the UND Women in Aviation International Kay Lawrence Scholarship is given to a member in good standing of the UND Women in Aviation student organization.