Valerie and Jeffrey "Jeff" Engle are passionate about science's ability to invoke wonder and fuel progress. They have made a generous investment in the future of science and technology by funding scholarships for Caltech undergraduates.

Valerie is a retired certified public accountant, not a scientist. Yet, she believes scientists and engineers hold the key to creating a better future. She has followed news about Caltech researchers' efforts to collect solar power in space and wirelessly transmit it to Earth. The scope and ambition of the project, she says, are what the world needs to combat climate change.

Jeff, a retired optometrist, fell in love with science when he was 13 years old and immersed himself in astrophysics, including string theory, black holes, and dark matter. Today, he marvels at how powerful telescopes in space and on land are helping scientists unravel mysteries of the universe.

"In the last 100 years, we went from thinking that only one galaxy existed to discovering other planets in other galaxies­—even dating the age of the universe," Jeff says. "Isn't that amazing? How could anyone not be interested in science?"

The Engles are distributing their gift in two phases. The couple completed a $100,000 commitment to endow the Sleep & Engle Scholarship in 2020. The fund, which also honors Valerie's family name, provides financial support for undergraduates, with a preference for those studying in the Division of Physics, Mathematics and Astronomy. The remaining funds are part of a bequest that will augment the scholarship endowment.

Miles Apart, but the Vision is the Same

Just as remarkable as the Engles' gift is their faith in Caltech. The Engles are not alumni. They live near the forests of Northern Idaho and have never even visited Caltech's campus. (The closest they have been to Pasadena was a road trip to Santa Barbara a few years ago.)

When the time came to plan their estate, the Engles knew they wanted to support higher education. They took a systematic approach: They drafted a short list of universities to consider, and Valerie evaluated each one's size, impact, and risk.

"By all standards, Caltech punches way above its weight," she says.

The decision to use their gift to establish a scholarship fund grew out of personal experience. Both Valerie and Jeff graduated from college with student loan debt. Valerie lessened her financial burden by cleaning pipettes and mouse cages at Cornell University's science laboratories while she was studying accounting at Ithaca College. Jeff relied on scholarships to help fund his education.

"The scholarships really made a difference, and I always remembered that generosity," Jeff says.

From One Scholarship Student to Another

Ensuring that talented young minds can study at Caltech regardless of their families' income is one of the Institute's highest priorities. Currently, more than half of Caltech undergraduates receive financial aid. To meet students' financial needs and eliminate institutional student loans, Caltech has launched the Initiative for Caltech Students, a fundraising campaign that seeks to raise $250 million to enhance the student experience, including $100 million for undergraduate scholarships.

The Engles are thrilled that their gift is already making a difference.

"It's so cool to hear about the research from the students we're helping," Valerie says. "In the next 30 to 40 years, one of these students might become a Nobel laureate. You never know."