Diana Hallett, right, with Christine Rega, the first recipient of the D.L. Hallett Fellowship at the gift announcement April 18.

Diana L. Hallett has been passionate about conservation for her entire college and professional life and she has made a difference in that field through her work. And now she will give $500,000 through her estate plan to endow the D.L. Hallett Fellowship and add to the Missouri Chapter of Wildlife Society Graduate Fellowship.

The future of conservation management, science and protection is in the graduate students who will become the leaders of local, state, national and international programs. Diana received a graduate fellowship when she was working on her M.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences at MU, and because of that support she has been forever grateful. In addition to her estate gift, Diana is making annual gifts to the D.L. Hallett Fellowship during her lifetime. The first recipient has already been chosen – Christine Rega, who is working on her Ph.D.

“Graduate scholarships in fisheries and wildlife are rare, and our ability to recruit and retain the best graduate students is greatly improved with Diana’s gift,” said CAFNR Vice Chancellor and Dean Tom Payne.

Diana’s service to MU doesn’t end with her charitable plans. She is currently a volunteer on the CAFNR Campaign Committee, representing The School of Natural Resources (SNR).

“This group will help us reach a goal of $75+ million over the next few years to support students, faculty, programs and facilities,” said Darcy Wells, executive director for advancement.

Diana L. Hallett is a model for future conservation leaders, says Wells. She not only worked hard in the field, but was closely involved with professional organizations. She was the first woman president of The Wildlife Society (TWS), an international organization representing more than 10,000 student and professional conservationists in 26 countries.