September 19, 2024 Architecture Class of 2027 Families Unite to Honor Gerber Family with Endowment

“Jeff and Marla’s incredible generosity not only made an exceptional architectural education possible for our daughter, but also alleviated financial pressure for our family. We are deeply grateful, and their gift has inspired us to embrace the spirit of giving and support future students, ensuring the Gerber family’s legacy continues to make an impact,” said Brian and Stephanie Reeve.

The Reeve’s daughter is a part of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s School of Architecture Class of 2027, dubbed the Gerber Scholars, a group that received a transformational gift from Jeff (’82) and Marla Gerber before their first day of classes in the fall of 2022.

Their historic $5.2 million support paid for the last-dollar tuition and fees for the five-year program for all 78 students in the architecture class.

To pay forward the generosity their students received, the classes’ families united to establish the Jeff and Marla Gerber Honorary Scholarship Endowment, a scholarship and endowment to support a third-year student in the College of Architecture and Design who demonstrates extraordinary professional promise.

The endowment was presented to the Gerbers during a Family Weekend tailgate where 57 School of Architecture Class of 2027 families traveled from 15 states to meet Jeff and Marla and share in the celebration of the endowment.

“Soon after we made the scholarship announcement two years ago, we began hearing that the families and students were responding to the gift by providing assistance to others, either financially or through volunteerism,” said Jeff. “This Saturday, when the endowment was announced, we were thrilled and honored, but not surprised. Over the past two years, we have seen first-hand the high character of this group. We are so proud to be associated with them.”

Students in the cohort have corresponded with the Gerbers since that day, sending notes of gratitude, updates on their studios, and personal milestones.

“We knew the scholarships would definitely have an effect, but we had no idea how it would turn out to be such a gift back to us,” said Marla. “It’s meant the world to us. We are grateful to learn about each student and their family. It helps to confirm that this is happening at the right place, at the right time, with the right people.”

Moved by meeting the Gerbers and the impact they’ve had on their son’s education, David and Lane Anderson and their family chose to increase their contribution following the event.

“The incredible and continuing generosity of the Gerbers cannot possibly be repaid,” said David. “Their impact on the Class of 2027 has gone far beyond financial support. This gift will last a lifetime and, when these new architects go out into the world, they will be moved to pay-it-forward through service and philanthropy. We are proud to help in establishing this endowment so that the kindness and generosity will forever be part of the College of Architecture and Design.

To the shock of the families and students, the Gerbers had a surprise of their own.

“As I told the students that night three years ago, the scholarship is very personal to me. The idea came together twenty years ago, and it took a lot of stars to align for it to finally come to fruition,” Jeff said. “And if it all had ended that night, it would have been worth it 100 times over, but that’s not what happened.”

He shared that his biggest regret while at UT was not going abroad. Although Jeff desperately wanted to, it was not financially feasible at the time.

The Gerbers announced they would be supporting the college’s efforts to provide greater access to global engagement for the Gerber Scholars. The students’ will receive aid towards the college’s planned preferred programs which fulfil their off-campus study requirements.

“This scholarship is really intended to give you all the tools necessary to not only be successful here, but to be successful when you get out and, in your careers,” Jeff said. “I hope that you are now free to dream big in your life and your career.”