You'd be hard-pressed to find a man more dedicated to fresh air and the great outdoors than Alan Carpenter. A proud Utah State alumnus and longtime land stewardship consultant and former ecologist with The Nature Conservancy, Alan has already cycled across the country twice, hiked both the Pacific Crest and Appalachian trails, and claims to have "about five more trips cooked up" in the years ahead. One possible cycling challenge: the North American traverse from Anchorage, Alaska, to Key West, Fla.
Alan's passion for adventuring has taken him to every corner of the continent, fueling his continual search for new experiences and his willingness to give back to where his many journeys began. Through his travels, the avid outdoorsman has developed a strong belief in the impact of even the smallest acts of generosity — and learned that tomorrow is never guaranteed.
A Close Call on the Trail
In April 2013, Alan attempted the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada. He hiked to mile 1,061 before a single misstep nearly cost him his life.
"I foolishly attempted to cross a short stretch of icy trail," Alan said. "I slipped and slid about 100 feet down a steep icy gulley, then slammed into a boulder. It broke some ribs, messed up my lung and took some skin off my arms and legs — I was fortunate it didn't kill me. When I got home, I realized I had taken my life for granted. We think we're going to live forever."
The harrowing experience launched the next six years of intense research into practical lifestyle choices to rejuvenate his own life and the lives of others. Today, Alan has adopted the title "The Healthy Choices Guide," aiding members of various organizations and groups in improving their quality of life by making healthy lifestyle choices. And of course, now fully rehabilitated, Alan is back to planning his next trip.
Coming to Utah State
Alan began his education at the University of Illinois, graduating with a bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1964. Next came a master's in water resources management from the University of Wisconsin in 1978, and finally a Ph.D. in range ecology from Utah State in 1986. It was the kindness of one man at USU that impacted Alan's future plans and ultimately led him to join the cycle of giving within the Quinney College of Natural Resources.
"I was originally scheduled to attend the University of Colorado, but I changed my mind when I was accepted to Utah State," Alan said. "I called up USU and told Cyrus McKell that I intended to make the switch, and asked if there was any financial assistance available. Cy said, 'Well, we don't have anything for you right now — but we'll find something.'"
Alan arrived in Logan, Utah, with "no real prospects" other than a promise over the phone that he'd eventually receive assistance in some way.
"It was a little dicey for me, wondering if financial aid was going to happen," Alan said. "But it did! That was a really important experience for me — the College took a chance on me — and I want to repay the kindness and the courtesy that were extended to me by the folks in the program."
Launching the Undergraduate Opportunity Scholarship
Alan established the Undergraduate Opportunity Scholarship at Utah State in 2008, and has provided regular funding since then. His gift is unique, in that it supports individual students from the time they earn the scholarship to their graduation from USU with a degree.
"I got a message from someone at the Quinney College in 2008. There was a student in dire financial straits," Alan said. "By dire, I mean he didn't have a permanent residence — he was sleeping in the back of his truck up in Green Canyon. They wanted to know if I could help him pay his tuition for the coming term. I said 'Sure, how much do you need?' He was able to finish his term and graduate. I didn't realize that some students were in such desperate conditions."
For the past 13 years, Alan has been helping students in the Quinney College of Natural Resources overcome financial hardships to graduate with degrees and pursue their passions.
"I'm so delighted to be able to help these students," Alan said. "It's one of the most heartwarming and gratifying things I can do. I have the resources to be able to do it, so for goodness' sake, why not do it?"
Choosing to Give
Alan's concern for today's students stems in part from the generosity he's received over the course of his adventuring. Be it saving him from brushes with hypothermia, providing trips into town for water or the willingness to share a hot meal, Alan has been on the receiving end of the generosity of others enough to know the long-term benefits an act of kindness can produce.
"I once came to a road crossing while hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and saw a guy sitting there in his truck, just waiting to help me. He said, 'Hey, are you hiking the PCT? Come sit down and I'll fix you some food.'"
By Alan's count, such charity was shown to him on that hike by trail angels more than a hundred times. The Undergraduate Opportunity Scholarship serves to continue the goodwill routinely offered to him throughout his adventuring, relieving the financial struggles faced by students in similarly dire circumstances.
"I paid $215 for my first semester as an undergrad at the University of Illinois," Alan said. "It's not like that anymore — there are kids out there who want to further their education, but they don't have the resources to do it. Experiencing the generosity of other people makes me think, 'What can I do? How can I be generous, too?'"
Contact
Karah Altman
Senior Development Director
214-683-3632
Karah.altman@usu.edu