Wildcat Legacies
Three stories that demonstrate lasting philanthropic impact at the university.
Carmala Garzione, John-Paul Roczniak, Sarah Brown Smallhouse
Photo: Chris Richards
Advancing Science: The Sarah Brown Smallhouse Endowed Deanship
A $5 million gift from Sarah Brown Smallhouse ’88 has established an endowed deanship in the University of Arizona College of Science, currently held by Carmala Garzione, providing perpetual support for research, student success and community engagement while strengthening leadership for generations to come.
Smallhouse, who earned a Master of Business Administration from the U of A, has long been committed to supporting education and scientific advancement, especially in Southern Arizona. Her philanthropy reflects a belief in the power of science to improve lives and inform decision-making across society — values instilled by her father, Thomas R. Brown. A foundation established in his name in 1998 has supported priorities across the state as well as numerous initiatives at the U of A, the foundation’s largest grant recipient, including endowed professorships and scholarships; programs to support K-12 learning in science, engineering, math and economics; and many more.
Homegrown Health: Creating a vital pipeline from Pima JTED to the Zuckerman College of Public Health
Potoff Private Philanthropy, a Tucson-based nonprofit supporting educational initiatives and vocational training programs, has made a five-year, $500,000 commitment to the Mel & Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona, establishing the Kathy Prather Student Advancement Scholarship.
The scholarship will support graduates of Pima County’s Joint Technical Education District (Pima JTED) who wish to pursue bachelor of science degrees in public health and wellness and health promotion practice at the Zuckerman College. Because Pima JTED offers high school students hands-on experience in health care, the scholarship ensures that the momentum those students build doesn’t stall at graduation.
The gift is as practical as it is visionary. Southern Arizona faces challenges with growing its health care workforce. In particular, facilities in rural communities across the state have become financially vulnerable due to major policy and budgetary changes. This new partnership helps address the need by investing in students already in the state, already motivated and already on their way to becoming qualified public health professionals.
Guided by Executive Director Bill Westcott, Potoff Private Philanthropy focuses on career and technical education, veterans programs and animal health and welfare. The organization’s initial $100,000 gift also makes Potoff the top-level Zuckerman Legacy sponsor for the college’s 25th Anniversary Gala — a milestone celebration for an institution that has spent a quarter-century shaping public health education in the Southwest.
At its core, this new partnership is about possibility — the possibility that a high school student completing a JTED certification today could become a public health leader protecting Arizona communities tomorrow. Faculty from both the Zuckerman College and Pima JTED are already looking ahead, eager to deepen their collaboration and grow the pipeline of qualified professionals Arizona so urgently needs.
A Wildcat Fan’s Lasting Legacy: Donor Paul Muscenti’s generosity will support future Wildcat student-athletes on and off the field.
Photo: Arizona Athletics
Wildcat Paul Muscenti ’58 loved sports. To help finance his college education, he coached youth teams in football, basketball and softball. He remained active in athletics as both a participant and a spectator throughout his life.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in Phoenix, Muscenti graduated from the University of Arizona’s College of Business and Public Administration in 1958 and went on to a distinguished career as a banker in Phoenix. He was a devoted Arizona Athletics supporter and a regular at Wildcat football games for more than 40 years.
Through careful planning and consultation with his advisers, including members of the U of A Gift Planning team, Muscenti crafted an estate plan that reflected his passion. Over the years, Muscenti remained engaged with his philanthropic partners at the U of A Foundation and Arizona Athletics, keeping them apprised of changes and updates.
“Many young athletes don’t have the financial ability to get a college education, but providing assistance in the way of scholarships helps,” Muscenti said in 2010. When he passed away May 12, 2024, his formidable legacy included a transformative gift of $4.4 million to the U of A to establish an endowed scholarship benefitting Wildcats across all sports.
“Paul’s generosity will ensure that generations of student-athletes have the opportunity to thrive academically and athletically at the University of Arizona,” says Desireé Reed-Francois ’97, R. Ken Coit Director of Athletics. “We are grateful for his lifelong devotion to the Wildcats and are proud to honor his legacy through this endowed scholarship.”
Make a Planned Gift
Planned giving is a wonderful way to support the U of A and show your appreciation for the programs you love while also meeting your own personal, financial, estate-planning and philanthropic goals. Reach out at plangift@uafoundation.org or 520-621-1993.
