Giving

September 2011

Reflection is a virtue that allows me to carefully consider where I have been and where I am going.  After 58 years, the Link Foundation certainly provides all of us with different ways to study how our association with the carefully crafted mission of the Foundation has impacted our lives.  Through the generosity of the founders, Edwin A. and Marion C. Link, the Foundation has been able to sustain the excellent effort to expand knowledge in the fields of advanced simulation and training, ocean engineering and instrumentation, and energy resources development and conservation.

The Links would be honored to know how their legacy has been and continues to be recognized. Ed is termed as one of the “12 most important undersea explorers” for his creation and development of undersea vehicles. He is also known as the “Father of Flight Simulation" for his pioneering efforts in creating the Link pilot trainer.  The Link internship program at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute/Florida Atlantic University (HBOI/FAU) just celebrated 38 years and the appointment of the 500th summer intern.  This year, the Edwin A. Link Building at HBOI/FAU was rededicated.  The Royal Aeronautical Society held its fifth annual lecture to honor Edwin A Link.  Since its inception, the Link Foundation has awarded over $12 million in grants.  I encourage you to visit www.linkfoundation.org to learn more about how the Link Foundation continues to make a difference in the lives of many.

We are proud of the achievements of the Link Foundation scholars.  A testimonial from Andrew M. Clark, 1979 Link Foundation Intern at Harbor Branch Foundation (now HBOI/FAU) speaks volumes:  “During the summer of 1979, I made both lifelong professional contacts and friendships, but even more important, it was there that I first witnessed the tremendous and powerful force created through the total immersion of scientists and engineers working together, solving problems and making discoveries in an unfettered, creative environment.  That realization set the path for the rest of my professional life.  Upon graduation I was drawn back to an entry level job at Harbor Branch.  There I would work my way up to eventually become Director of Engineering, reveling in the alchemy of collegial cooperation and cross-disciplinary collaboration, the output of which always resulted in many times the sum of the parts.  Since my time at Harbor Branch, I’ve had the good fortune of holding several leadership positions in both government and industry.  I founded three successful companies, all still operating profitably today, and all established on that same ethic of fostering a creative nexus of science and technology. A few years ago, I was bestowed with what I consider one of the most important professional and rewarding responsibilities, namely being elected Trustee to the Board of the Link Foundation.  This now affords me the opportunity to try to provide this same experience to future generations.  I credit the Link Foundation, and particularly Marilyn Link herself, as playing the pivotal role enabling the successes I have enjoyed in my professional life, but more importantly, the satisfaction and enjoyment I’ve experienced in the totality of my life itself.”

I would like to thank our extended family, the community, past and current Link recipients, partners and our friends whose loyal, collective support infuses life into our mission. I hope that you will seriously consider a charitable gift to the Link Foundation.  In doing so, you are helping to chart a course for young careers, enabling them to help make our world a better place for the generations that follow.

Sincerely,

Thomas F. Kelly, Ph.D.
Chair, Board of Trustees

   

The Link Foundation
c/o Binghamton University Foundation
PO Box 6005
Binghamton, NY
13902-6005
ATTN: Martha J. Gahring