New fund enables real-time response

In 2024, Al and Dotty Warkentine generously provided the seed gift to establish the President’s Discretionary Endowment at FPU. Their vision created a fund designed to help advance the university’s mission.

Ultimately, the President’s Discretionary Endowment is an investment. “It is a vote of confidence in leadership and ensures the university can remain agile, relevant and prepared to lead for generations to come,” said Matt Mazzoni, major gift officer.

This endowment will enable FPU to:

• Seize opportunities – launch bold initiatives, attract exceptional faculty and support scholarly research
• Address urgent needs – support unexpected priorities that arise in the fast-changing higher education landscape
• Fuel innovation – pilot new programs, renovate learning spaces and launch transformative student initiatives
• Provide a safety net for students – manage crises such as medical emergencies, natural disasters or economic hardship

“This fund allows us to respond in real time to the needs of our students,” Mazzoni said. “Contributing to this endowment directly strengthens the lives and futures of students.”

Anyone can contribute to the fund goal of $1 million. Every gift—no matter the size—builds a permanent fund the president can use to benefit students and the university.