New Graduate Assistantship to be funded by Endowment Honoring Andrea K. Varner and Randall M. Varner, Jr.

Losing a loved one unexpectedly can be a gut-wrenching experience. However, for many, the grieving process goes beyond saying goodbye. It affords an opportunity to take stock of where we are in our lives and consider the consequences of our own eventual passing.

Such was the experience for Randy Varner. After his wife Andrea unexpectedly passed away last year, he and their son, Kenny, began to consider what they wanted to do with the family’s assets. “I am an only child, and so is Kenny” explains Randy. “We wanted to make sure that what we worked hard to build went on to make a meaningful difference.”

Both Randy and Andrea came from working-class backgrounds and never went to college. Andrea had the additional challenge of being an immigrant from Germany. They worked hard because they wanted more for their son.

Kenny explains, “My parents sacrificed everything so I could go to college. It was a priceless gift.” With his passionate energy and his parents’ support, Kenny completed multiple degrees and is now the College of Education’s associate dean for academic programs and initiatives, where he works with underserved and international students. He also runs partnerships with institutions in Argentina, Australia, Chile, Croatia, and Germany.

“In addition to honoring my mom, we want to ensure the money and their legacy goes on in perpetuity to support first-generation students like I was and to international students who, like my mom, came to the U.S. to make a better life for herself,” Kenny says.

Randy and Kenny have set up a planned gift of approximately $1.6 million to the UNLV Foundation via a living trust. Upon their passing, an endowment fund will be created, which will be used for graduate assistantships for international and/or first-generation doctoral students and/or doctoral students from underrepresented backgrounds.

“I’ve always rooted for the underdog,” quips Randy, “and UNLV’s commitment to being a minority-serving institution and supporting non-traditional students is in alignment with what our family values.”

“We appreciate the Varner family’s investment in our future students,” said Ricky N. McCurry, president of the UNLV Foundation. “The family has demonstrated a strong dedication towards empowering underserved and international students. This financial contribution to UNLV is a testament to their unwavering commitment.”