Eugene & Charlene Hoover "Architecture has been very good to us." Scholarship Trust to Benefit School of Architecture Eugene Hoover, '63 Arch, knew early on that farming was not in his future. "It was tough times in those days, real tough," he says, recalling his parents' experiences when they started farming near Conrad during the 1930s. Yet it wasn't so much a disinclination for farming as the lure of the drafting table that led Hoover down a different path. "I loved art, drafting and design. It was just a natural," he says of his decision to pursue architecture. Hoover graduated from the School of Architecture at MSU, where he was awarded the Alpha Rho Chi Medal honoring graduating seniors who demonstrate leadership and promise of professional merit thru their attitude and personality. He spent most of his career in California, working for one of the largest architectural firms in Sacramento as chief designer at Cox, Liske, Lionakis and Beaumont. Hoover did so well in his field that he was able to retire at age 37. Now 63 and recently back from a cruise to Alaska, Hoover and his wife, Charlene, have been reflecting on the life they have enjoyed because of architecture and sound investments. Inspired by the scholarships awarded at his nephew's high school graduation, Hoover established a scholarship for Conrad High School students who want to study architecture in Montana. Charlene arranged a similar scholarship at her alma mater in Everett, Wash. The Hoovers then began looking to MSU and the School of Architecture. Through the establishment of a living trust that they created to meet their need for privacy and security, they have responded to MSU President Geoff Gamble's appeal "to put students first." The trust provides for the eventual establishment of a permanent renewable scholarship for Montana students enrolled in the School of Architecture at MSU. "I hope it will help someone that needs it," said Hoover, who would have appreciated similar help when he was enrolled at MSU. The Hoovers were able to visit MSU and the School of Architecture this past summer. JB Bancroft, dean of the College of Arts and Architecture, says, "It was inspiring to meet Eugene and Charlene. Their dedication to architecture, the university and our students is remarkable. It was an honor spending time with them, learning of the experiences Eugene had while attending our school." Reflecting on the Hoover's visit to the MSU campus, director of the MSU School of Architecture, Clark Llewellyn says, "Meeting with the Hoovers was a genuinely rewarding experience. Though Eugene left practice some time ago, it is clear that he has not abandoned his passion or his education. The home in which he and Charlene live reflects a contemporary and thoughtful architect dedicated to our profession. I am proud of alumni such as Eugene who have returned to their roots to support students who will enter the profession of architecture with the same depth of dedication and commitment." If you would like information on the MSU School of Architecture or would like to know more about endowed scholarships, please contact development officer Anna E. Marcoux at 406-994-5927 or e-mail amarcoux@montana.edu. Photo Credit: Eugene Hoover For more information about the Montana State University Foundation, visit the MSU Foundation web site.