The University of Idaho Extension received a $1.6 million gift from an unknown donor who was later revealed as the late Harry Lawrowski.
The donation was given with no restrictions regarding how it may be used. Barbara Petty, the associate dean and director of the UI Extension, chose to create a UI Extension Excellence Endowment.
This intends for the donation to have long-term impact for the university. Totaling $1.6 million, the donation will help provide non-formal education to people throughout the country.
Petty said, “It’s a testament to the quality of our work…community leaders such as the Lawrowskis recognize our work.”
UI Extension is part of a national network of land grant universities conducting research and educating the public, according to their website. UI Extension aims to bring education to students where they live, by partnering with local communities to provide research-based education and information on issue that are important to Idahoans.
The program has a state-wide network of faculty and staff in 42 counties, where they work to transform knowledge into “solutions that work.” These programs include 4-H youth development, food production systems and health and wellbeing. In Latah County, UI Extension offers programming in small farms, family finance and 4-H youth programs
The endowment is expected to generate roughly $65,000 in annual earnings, beginning in the Fiscal Year 2027. UI Extension anticipates adding future gifts to the endowment to increase its return.
This revenue will help provide external support and enable UI Extension to address old problems with new solutions and provide support to ongoing programs in need.
Lawrowski was a chemical engineer and employee of Idaho National Laboratory for 15 years. He was superintendent and associate director of the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II, amongst other jobs in the nuclear industry, before forming his own company in 1979.
Mary Ann Lawrowski, wife of Harry Lawrowski, was a family and consumer sciences extension educator in Bonneville County for 33 years.
“It warms my heart to know that Harry and Marry Ann Lawroski wanted their support of the Extension to be a big part of their legacy,” Petty said.
Petty succeeded Mary Ann Lawrowski at UI Extension, who left a lasting impression on the program. Petty said she now introduces herself as the person who has the honor of sitting at Mary Ann Lawroski’s desk.
Emily Morales can be reached at [email protected].