‘You are truly his wildest dream.’

“You have to know how beautiful it is to stand up here, and look across this room, and to see these scholars, these leaders, these educators who are taking Mr. Kauffman at his word to be uncommon; to change the world,” said Kauffman President and CEO DeAngela Burns-Wallace, Ed.D., on Sept. 15, during the Kauffman Scholars Celebration event at Union Station in Kansas City, Missouri.

The planned sunset of the Kauffman Scholars, Inc., (KSI) post-secondary scholarship program began its official six-month phased closing March 13 – 20 years to the day after launching the initiative that offered college scholarships, academic tutoring, and mentoring to students starting in seventh grade.

“The Kauffman Scholars program spanned two decades to be a groundbreaking model across the nation. It would carry Mr. K’s dream to more than 90 higher-ed institutions around the world and graduate more than 850 scholars who are transforming community to this day,” Burns-Wallace said. “To our alumni, I say on behalf of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, we are proud of each and every one of you. What you do, how you do it, how you lead, is a reflection of us, and we could not be prouder of that reflection.”

At the program’s conclusion, KSI included eight classes of graduates in their 20s and early 30s who impact the Kansas City area as active members of their communities and of the regional workforce. Seventy-five percent of KSI alumni reside in the Kansas City metropolitan area and reported a positive career outcome within six months of post-secondary completion.

The recent celebration honored the dedication and experiences of KSI alumni, their families, and KSI staff.

“This program bears Mr. Kauffman’s name. This program is the Kauffman Scholars program. You must know that you are truly his wildest dream for everything that each and every one of you have accomplished,” Burns-Wallace said.

The program’s first graduate, Tiffiny Jones, addressed the crowd that night as well. Although it wasn’t always easy, she completed her bachelor’s degree at the University of Missouri in three years. In the next two years, she completed two master’s degrees.

“Kauffman Scholars was my light in the darkness,” Jones said. “We all have a story, and Kauffman made me see the best parts of mine through constant college preparation and community service. Kauffman showed me this through love for myself and love for my community. So many people pushed me along, also pushing a legacy they played a tremendous part in.”

Dr. Burns-Wallace shared her joy in being part of Jones’ story. Burns-Wallace was assistant vice provost for undergraduate studies at the University of Missouri when Jones was a student and acted as a partner with KSI to support scholars as they pursued their degrees.

“When she stood up here, I said, ‘That’s one of mine,’” Burns-Wallace said. “She did that. She paved that way. She finished that degree – and if you did not hear her – in three years. And then went on to get those masters.”

The stories shared were not just of attainment, but of persistence, access, learning, support, and relationships built with KSI scholars, coaches, mentors, and families.

“Our alumni of KSI are the most powerful asset we have going forward,” Burns-Wallace said. “You are Mr. K’s legacy personified. So, I say to each of you, I challenge each of you to continue to carry that legacy, to continue to be there, to be uncommon, striving, dreaming, building – sometimes failing, as he would say – but always succeeding and rising.”

“And as you have learned along this path, you must lift others with you as you climb and as you build. Please know that the Foundation continues to be a part of your journey and you are a part of our legacy.”

Watch these videos to learn more about the legacy and impact of Kauffman Scholars, Inc.