President's Club Chairman Don Foot is hardly your average out-of-state Alumnus. For that matter, Don Foot is hardly average.
"I grew up in Carmichael, California and I looked at USC, Berkeley, and Stanford when graduating from high school. But of course I had Utah on my list too." And no wonder, with two generations of tenacious Utah alumni in the foreground. His mother was a psychology major at the University of Utah, and also graced the stage of Kingsbury Hall as an actress. Both his grandparents on his mother's side attended the University as psychology and business majors, in addition to singing in the University of Utah Singers. When Don was awarded a Kennecott Meritorious Scholarship to study metallurgical engineering at the U, it became clear to him that this was the place to cultivate his abilities and interests.
Despite a demanding and competitive major, Don became involved with fundraising for the University almost immediately. "When I was a freshman, I got involved with Dr. Willem Johan Kolff." Dr. Kolff, a University faculty member renowned for his contribution to the development of artificial organs, was attempting to raise money to purchase kidney dialysis machines for the hospital. "Which at the time were $12,000 apiece," he explains. "We decided to have a volleyball marathon in conjunction with the selections trials of the U.S. Olympic Volleyball Team being held at the Huntsman Center. We raised enough money for three new machines."
After completing both his metallurgical engineering degree and a master's degree in engineering administration at the University of Utah, Don worked to establish his career, moving up in his field, and eventually starting his own company. "As with everything, when you first get out, you struggle, you raise a family, and then you get rolling." It was then that he contacted the University of Utah about establishing a scholarship for a student athlete in the sciences. The scholarship has assisted basketball players, football players, and more recently, many gymnasts. Some go on to play professionally, some to become doctors or engineers, and some will do both. Don's dedication is clear, as he eagerly brags about all of them as if they were his own children.
His commitment to student athletes made him a natural choice for the Crimson Club Board of Directors, which he chaired for several years. In his time there, he enlivened, revived and established several new programs like the FanFest, and the Varsity Club, to keep the committee active and achieving the board's goals.
Don's style of hands-on student support and advising also led him to being the ideal chair for the President's Club Committee, which oversees the University of Utah Presidential Scholars. These scholars are now paired with a committee member in a mentorship program. "We can't necessarily solve a student's chemistry problem or do their math homework, but we can help them with a life problem if they need it. And that can be as valuable to their success as anything."
But the mentor program isn't the only project for Don as chairman. "I do not like to serve on boards that do nothing but get together for lunch," he says. He intends to expand the committee's activities in programs such as the University Insider Tours, and the Park City Institute. He would also like to work with University alumni and friends to advocate for the University during the State's legislative sessions. We want to make sure that the high quality of students and products that come from this University continues," and he hopes a stronger voice from donors and alumni will insure that.
"It's just great fun," says Don. "The people at the U are phenomenal, no matter where you are on campus. The growth and expansion are phenomenal. The impact that we're having on the state, the country, and the world is phenomenal. How can you not be excited to step foot on campus and help? It's so rewarding, and it gives back to you in everything that you see and experience."
Don excitedly mentions that his daughters also attended the U, a biomedical engineer and a surgeon, and perhaps his granddaughter will also attend one day too. His family's growing legacy seems to mirror the growing reach of the U itself, and he is eager to be a part of it.
"I think we're on the verge of unbelievable things."