As part of a heartfelt tribute to their beloved advisor, mentor and “surrogate mom,” a group of university alumni and Omega Delta Phi fraternity members have established the Carla Krogh Legacy Endowed Scholarship, which will support UC Merced students with a demonstrated interest in public and community service.
Krogh, who has the distinction of being a founding UC Merced staff member, recently retired from her role as the university’s cashiering manager after a 20-year career on campus.
Among the many accolades she received during her tenure was the 2018 Staff Excellence Award in Community Involvement and Public Service, which recognized her unwavering commitment to community engagement, including her volunteer work with the Merced Special Olympics and the city of Gustine’s annual Veterans Day parade.
Krogh first became the Omega Delta Phi staff advisor in 2010 and continues to support the fraternity in her retirement.
“Only an incredible and passionate person who truly loves working for and with students would go above and beyond for us like Carla,” said Ivan Prado ’11, who, as president of the fraternity, first approached Krogh to serve as an advisor. “We wanted to try to pay it forward by helping others so that her legacy of service and support continues. That was the inspiration behind establishing the Carla Krogh Legacy Endowed Scholarship.”
In addition to contributions from the fraternity members who collectively created the scholarship, the endowment has received support from Krogh’s UC Merced colleagues and friends throughout the community.
“Carla is an amazing woman who is loving and caring and would do anything she could to help anyone in need,” said Omega Delta Phi member Josh Partida ’11. “She is a selfless person who truly cares about people and her community and taught many of us how to appreciate life and always give back.”
Beyond directly honoring Krogh and her spirit of service, the fraternity brothers would like their philanthropy to inspire other UC Merced alumni to support incoming students to follow in their footsteps.
“I hope that other organizations and individuals see that endowing a scholarship can be done collectively,” Miguel Jimenez '15 said. “We are a new campus with young alumni, but it can be done for the betterment of future generations. Our endowment fund may not be as big as other institutions but our heart and passion for our alma mater is.”
“I hope that Carla’s legacy of service and support of higher education continues through this endowed scholarship,” Prado said. “Her involvement in the UC Merced and local community has taught us the importance of giving back. Although not everyone is from here, this community
becomes home to most and is where many new lifelong friendships and relationships are created.”
You can make a gift to the Carla Krogh Legacy Endowed Scholarship here.
