Former Chinook Residents Gift $100,000 to Northern
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Montana State University-Northern shares that Mrs. Hazel Gearheart, of Kennewick, WA, has gifted the University $100,000. Gearheart, a former resident of Chinook, 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.
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.
Hazel J. Brown Gearheart, now 93, was born in Chinook and raised on the family dairy farm just a mile east of town. She graduated from Chinook High School in 1945 as Valedictorian. She was awarded a scholarship to Northern and got her Associates Degree there in 1947 in Medical Secretarial training. She later received her certification in Medical Records. She was employed in hospitals in Great Falls, Montana; Pullman, Washington; Sunnyside, Washington; and Othello, Washington before retiring in 1975.
Len J Gearheart, who passed in April 2019 at age 92, also graduated from Chinook High School in 1945. His family moved to Chinook when he was in the 2nd grade when his father took the position of manager of the U & I Sugar Factory. Len was Salutatorian of his class but missed the ceremony as he was serving in the US Navy in WWII at the time, having enlisted on his 18th birthday in February. He had also been awarded a scholarship to Northern but had to decline because he was serving in the war. Len returned from the war and received his Associates Degree from Northern and then attended Washington State (College) University. He was awarded his Bachelor's degree in Agronomy in 1951. He farmed for over 50 years and was also involved in other agricultural businesses well into his 80s.
"The residents of the Hi-Line have always been supporters of Northern," said MSU-Northern Chancellor Greg Kegel. "It's wonderful that both Hazel and Len came to Northern, went on to have successful careers, and gave back to Northern to support other students from Montana. Northern can't thank them enough."
Having Len and Hazel's name on this gift together, forever, is fitting as they were together for close to a century. They were together for 84 years, including 68 years of marriage before Len's passing.
"Hazel and her children have been a joy to get to know." said Shantel Cronk, executive director for the MSU-Northern Foundation. "It's so dear that Hazel wants to help others and support the area of Montana that meant so much to her and her late husband. It's a very touching gift that will make a huge impact on Northern."
Both Len and Hazel appreciated the education they received at Northern. Over the years they talked to their family many times about the time spent there. Hazel said that Northern "ran in the family. 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, Hazel 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.
The Gearhearts have 3 children, 13 grand-children and 20 great-grandchildren. And now a legacy 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.
