In This Section:
Reaching down to touch the Earth
Center for Women's Health opens
Alumna remembers scholarship aid

Alum establishes Nugget Fund to provide students with field experience

The UConn geology and geophysics department has long offered field research trips for students to examine rock formations and surface details at important sites in the western United States, such as the Grand Canyon or Death Valley.

Studying the processes that continually shape and renew Earth's surface enables geologists to use the long history of the planet recorded in rocks and fossils to predict its future and to apply this knowledge in exploring for mineral deposits and energy resources.

UConn geology students take a break during a research trip to the Grand Canyon.

"Getting into the field and touching, smelling and even tasting rocks is a field geologist's dream," says Tim Byrne, associate professor and head of geology and geophysics. "Looking into the Grand Canyon is like looking at a giant hole in a layer cake. But in this case, what's on view is 500 million years of geologic history."

A recent $25,000 gift from alumnus Kevin Bohacs '76 (CLAS) will enable more UConn students to learn first-hand about the results of natural forces and processes on Earth's surface and structure. The gift from Bohacs has established the Nugget Fund, a permanent resource that will help offset the travel costs associated with geological fieldwork. Proceeds from the endowment will also support undergraduate research and enhance departmental programs.

Professor Randy Steinen has led student excursions in the past and will lead another this spring. With the help of Bohacs, the students may again head to the western United States or instead strike out for a more exotic location, such as Hawaii, the tropics or Cuba.

Byrne believes ongoing investments like the Nugget Fund will help UConn remain competitive in the field of Earth sciences. He also hopes to add dedicated laboratory space to recruit new faculty.

"This is an exciting time in the department," he says. "Last fall we admitted one of our largest and most- qualified group of graduate students ever, and we're working with a number of University departments to develop a multidisciplinary program that links Earth, ocean and life sciences."

Charlotte Johnson Hollfelder memorialized by husband

Peter Deckers, executive vice president for health affairs at the UConn Health Center, left, with Fred Hollfelder, at the dedication ceremony for the Charlotte Johnson Hollfelder Center for Women's Health.

Since establishing the Charlotte Johnson Hollfelder Foundation to honor his late wife, Fred Hollfelder has been a tireless supporter of women's health initiatives, including those at the UConn Health Center's John Dempsey Hospital. Through his endeavors, hundreds of uninsured and underinsured women have received mammograms and other vital medical services at the Health Center.

"Everything good that has happened in my life is because of Charlotte. In her memory, I wanted to do something that I could see happen during my lifetime," Hollfelder says in summarizing the reason behind his remarkable and ongoing legacy of philanthropy at UConn. "I've been lucky in my life. I could afford to go to college because the government held out a hand in the form of the GI Bill. And in my career I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. But the biggest piece of luck I ever had was having Charlotte in my life."

Fred and Charlotte had known each other since childhood, but they didn't marry until Fred was in his mid-30s. When his job took them to Chicago, Charlotte became involved as a hospital volunteer right away. She continued this work as the couple moved to Ontario and eventually back to Connecticut - where Charlotte volunteered in the X-ray department at the UConn Health Center.

"She cared about people, she really did. Charlotte was charity and community minded," says Hollfelder.

Charlotte was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and although she later recovered, she passed away in 1995 from an unrelated illness. Hollfelder's original thought to establish a healthcare tribute to his wife's memory was to endow a chair in clinical oncology at the UConn Health Center. However as he participated more in discussions about women's health care issues, he decided to establish a center covering all aspects of women's health.

The Charlotte Johnson Hollfelder Center for Women's Health was dedicated in September 2002. It offers a variety of women's health services, including obstetrics and gynecology, maternal-fetal medicine, care for osteoporosis, and new services such as integrative medicine consultations.

Dr. Kristen Zarfos, a breast cancer specialist and assistant professor of surgery who also serves as medical director for women's health programs at the UConn Health Center, says "Without the Charlotte Johnson Hollfelder Foundation, many uninsured women wouldn't receive early diagnosis and treatment that can save their lives. Fred helps take that barrier away. As a person, he brings out the caring side in each of us because he's so sincere in what he does."

"This isn't about me in the least," says Hollfelder. "I want the focus to be on Charlotte. If someone sees her name on the center and thinks, 'There's a person who gave, maybe I should give too,' then that's the best way I can think of to honor her memory.

"I'll tell you this: You can have all the money and possessions in the world, but there's no feeling like giving, helping someone else."

They've never met and they are separated by the width of an entire continent, but UConn alumna Sandi Dobrowolsky '81 (CANR) and freshman Melissa Paul '06 (SFA) share a bond that will enrich them both for the rest of their lives. Sandi, who lives in Palo Alto, Calif., with her husband, Steve Perlman, recently endowed the Dobrowolsky Family Day of Pride Scholarship, which is making it possible for Paul to attend the University of Connecticut.

Coming from a large family, Dobrowolsky needed financial assistance to attend college. She considered a number of schools, but there was really just one choice for a quality program in plant science. "The financial aid I received made it possible for me to come to UConn and have such a great experience," she says.

Day of Pride scholarship recipient Melissa Paul '06 (SFA).

Day of Pride Scholarships are awarded to outstanding Connecticut high school seniors with proven academic ability and leadership skills, demonstrated service to their communities, a commitment to diversity and multiculturalism, and documented financial need.

In high school, Paul says, she "did everything musical that it was possible to do." She entered UConn this past fall and began immediately to explore opportunities to use her vocal ability. She became a member of The Chordials, a well-known women's ^ capella singing group on campus. For such a talented performer the next natural step was to audition for the School of Fine Arts. Paul plans to begin her studies in vocal performance in the spring semester.

What does the Day of Pride Scholarship mean to Paul? "I feel so lucky and am so grateful to the Dobrowolsky family because I can attend UConn without the financial burden I would have otherwise," she says.

Perlman sums up the feelings he shares with his wife: "We are very aware that there are many talented high school students who deserve the opportunity to make a contribution. Sandi was one of those kids when she entered UConn, and she has gone on to make a difference in a lot of people's lives. We're pleased to be able to offer the same chance to others on an ongoing basis, which is what the scholarship is for."