“It takes a village”: Haury Program celebrates 10 years of collaborations to solve “wicked” problems with a garden dedication in Women’s Plaza
On Friday, October 11th, administrators, staff, faculty, students and community members gathered at the Women’s Plaza of Honor to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Agnese Nelms Haury Program in Environment and Social Justice (“Haury Program”). The celebration included a dedication of a garden to honor the life and legacy of Agnese Nelms Haury, a passionate philanthropist with a vision for solving “wicked” problems, and the recognition of seven “Women of Haury” who have significantly contributed to the vision and impact of the program. The opening prayer was offered by Jasmine Lopez, Miss Native American University of Arizona, and the land acknowledgment was provided by the Honorable N. Levi Esquerra, Senior Vice President for Native American Advancement and Tribal Engagement. The program was MC-ed by Prof. Toni Massaro, current Haury Program Executive Director,
The Haury Program was established in 2014 when the University of Arizona Foundation became the recipient of a $50 million bequest from the Haury Estate to establish an endowment in support of solving "wicked" societal and environmental problems facing our Southwest region and the world. Ms. Tammy Barnett, who served as a Trustee of the Haury Estate and has been on the Haury Program Donor Advised Fund Board since its formation, knew Mrs. Haury very well: “Aggie was intelligent and eccentric; she was wonderful and generous to others even though she preferred second-hand stores and public transportation for herself.”
Ms. Mary Grier, Haury Program Donor Advised Fund Board trustee recalled that Mrs. Haury was a gardener herself, and added: “Mrs. Haury appreciated the nurturing power of her wealth, but she did not use it to glorify herself and might even be mortified if she knew her name was on something. She wanted to use it to improve the world and to improve it for humanity. Mrs. Haury indeed epitomizes a person who plants a tree knowing she will not benefit from the shade but future generations will.”
Today, the Haury Program supports Indigenous resilience by supporting those working on research and outreach at the University of Arizona, including the Indigenous Resilience Center led by Dr. Chief, Native Pathways and external partnerships. Prof. Toni Massaro, the current Executive Director of the Haury Program and MC of the program shared: “It has been a labor of love and gratitude. We did none of our work in the past ten years alone – we work for all of you, for others, and with others. So we recognize and thank the village in which the Haury Program works, both at the University and with the wider world, including tribal nations. You made all of this happen, and we thank you!”
Before cutting the ribbon to officially hand over Mrs. Haury’s garden to all to enjoy, Prof. Massaro also recognized Ms. Barnett, Ms. Grier and five other women for their dedication and work for the Haury Program: Vicki Fleischer and Jonelle Vold who worked with the program from the U of A Foundation side; Anna H. Spitz, Haury Program’s first director; Kathryn Whisman, former Haury Program Board member; and Nancy Petersen, who has been with the program almost since its inception and now serves as the Assistant Director and CFO.
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The Haury Program is planning a yearlong celebration, including the release of a video series highlighting awardees and partners. For more information, follow the Program’s “10 Year Celebration” website and its social media.