Kansas Wesleyan raises $2.7 million for student scholarships on a single night

Kansas Wesleyan University has just raised its most amount of support during a single event in the college’s history.

KWU announced the school’s second annual Scholarship Gala on April 20 in Mabee Arena raised more than $2.7 million in support of student scholarships.

According to KWU, the event was highlighted by several gifts that surpassed $100,000, including $350,000 from alumnus Bob Meyer and $1 million from alumnus Kent Cox and his wife Adrienne.

“Our hearts are full of thankfulness today,” said Ken Oliver, executive vice president of advancement and university operations. “So many individuals and corporate partners stepped up in support of our students. Individuals at different points in their lives, with different occupations and different histories, gave. Businesses saw what investing in scholarships could mean for their talent pool and for the community, and they gave. This level of support can truly change the futures of our students, and for that, we are grateful.”

In addition to the gifts from Meyer and the Coxes, $100,000 gifts were given by Ken and Karen Ebert, from the event’s keynote speaker Rebecca Chopp and her husband Frederick Thibodeau, title sponsor Mahaska, Bennington State Bank and Mike and Debra Berkley.

KWU Foundation member Steve Scofield and his wife Jewelda donated $125,000 and the Noonan family spearheaded an endowed scholarship in honor of Kevin Noonan, donating $40,000.

Finally, KWU said other corporate partners, including Salina Regional Health Center and its foundation, Ryan Roofing, Nex-Tech Creative, CAD Law, and Pestinger Heating and Air, donated a combined $215,000.

More: Help address hunger and fill the area’s food pantries as Project Salina 2024 kicks off

Oliver said the event was something he was proud to be a part of, seeing the support by donors for students like the ones who performed during the event.

“Saturday’s event was a tremendous experience,” said Oliver. “To see such support for our students is truly inspiring, and it is our hope that other individuals are inspired, as well. We hope that people see the way that KWU changes lives, how it betters north-central Kansas and how it makes Salina a better place to be. It did for each of these individuals and businesses, and it will for many more in the years to come.”