For Give Green Day, Spartans had the option of honoring the legacy of one of Michigan State University’s most impactful leaders.

The Dr. Karen Klomparens Endowment in Support of Graduate Fellowships is awarded annually to students who are enrolled in masters or doctoral programs at MSU in any discipline, including professional degree programs.

This endowment, established by Stephanie and Edward (Ned) Watts, celebrates the legacy of Karen Klomparens, who served the Graduate School and greater MSU community during a 35-year career.

Beginning her MSU career in 1979 as a professor of plant biology and soon after director of MSU’s Center for Advanced Microscopy, Klomparens published numerous peer-reviewed journal articles and three books on the topic of ultrastructural development of sporulating structures in fungi.

From 1989 to 1991, she served on the Council on the Review of Research and Graduate Education. The council’s 1991 report recommended restructuring graduate education at MSU, and the Graduate School was established in 1994.

Klomparens first served as assistant dean for Graduate Student Welfare from 1994 to 1997 and then became the dean of the Graduate School in 1997. Her passions in this role focused on improving completion issues for doctoral students, interdisciplinary graduate education and inclusive excellence.

The scope of the endowment may appear open-ended because it is available to any masters or doctoral students at MSU, but its broad applicability is a deliberate choice by the founders to channel her attitude and enthusiasm.

“The way the Watts family structured this gift speaks to the way Karen revolutionized how we think about graduate education, not just at MSU but throughout the country. When you see an issue, you find a way to address it.” said Julie Rojewski, director of Ph.D. Career Services

“She solved problems big and small, for individuals or for groups, and the flexibility and scope of this endowment fund honors Karen well: when a graduate student has an issue, sometimes a small amount of money can solve it, allowing students to move past obstacles and thrive.”

Her commitment to diverse groups of graduate students of all disciplines and at all stages, as well as the mentorship that she provided to countless faculty members, will not be forgotten. This endowment, Stephanie and Ned Watts highlight, “is in honor of an incredible woman, scientist, scholar and leader.”

The Graduate School encourages Spartans who wish to celebrate the work of Karen Klomparens to donate to the endowment at the Dr. Karen Klomparens Endowment in Support of Graduate Fellowships CrowdPower page and share a memory or tribute to her using this form.