Mark Yoder '80

Mark Yoder ’80 has always been passionate about the earth and the story it can tell.

As a student at Susquehanna, Mark studied geological and environmental science. He later earned an MBA from the University of Denver, and today is the owner of Granite Reality & Investment LLC, a full-service real estate agency headquartered in Denver.

Mark and his wife, Deborah, gifted the university an impressive fossil collection and museum-quality display cases, which were dedicated during Homecoming–Reunion Weekend 2022. The Mark ’80 and Deborah Yoder Fossil Collection is on display in Susquehannas Natural Sciences Center and tells the story of terrestrial evolution during the middle-to-late Paleozoic Era.

The collection contains impressive fossil finds from around the world and represents some of the significant transformations in organisms that occurred in response to global environmental change.

“It is our hope that this display will be a destination where students can gather and discuss the science from their classes and research,” Mr. Yoder says. “We also hope that it will be a place for them to share their hopes and dreams for the future.”

The Yoders also established the Mark ’80 and Deborah Yoder Scholarship to recognize Mark’s commitment to Susquehanna and his passion for geological sciences. The scholarship will give preference to a student who is studying in the earth and environmental sciences, environmental studies or ecology.

The Yoders have funded their scholarship with a legacy gift to the university. As an endowed fund, it will support students in perpetuity — deserving recipients will benefit from their generosity for generations to come.

“I feel blessed to be able to give back to the institution that laid the foundation for my career and allowed me to pursue my interests,” Mark says. “Deborah and I hope that these gifts will inspire current and future students to follow all of their scientific and environmental passions.”

Susquehanna is grateful to Mark and Deborah for their generous philanthropy, which will support generations of environmental scientists and improve the experience of all visitors to the Natural Sciences Center.