The Kaskaskia College Foundation has received a bequest of $1,714,471 from the Joe Pat Knight Charitable Remainder Unitrust to benefit future awardees of the Joe P. Knight Endowed Scholarship and the Jane Knight Memorial Scholarship.
Kaskaskia College President George Evans says it’s exciting to grow the two scholarship endowments to ensure a lifetime legacy for the Knights and continue to serve KC students.
The Jane Knight Memorial Scholarship was established in 2001. It benefits students pursuing a degree in education, with a preference for those pursuing a career in elementary education. Joe Knight established the scholarship in memory of his late wife, Jane, who was dedicated to education throughout her life.
The Joe P. Knight Endowed Scholarship was established in 2002 for his dedication to serving as a Kaskaskia College Board of Trustees Member from 1991 to 1997. The scholarship benefits single parents pursuing a degree or certificate of their choosing. Knight returned to his hometown of Centralia after a 20-plus year teaching career in Michigan to serve as a KC trustee dedicated to student success.
Both scholarships are awarded on an annual basis, with financial needs a factor of consideration. The Kaskaskia College Foundation recently awarded over $374,000 through 395 scholarships for the 2022-23 academic year.
The President of the Kaskaskia College Foundation Craig Finke says establishing scholarships like the Knights endowments are a wonderful way to honor loved ones, legacies, and more, while helping worthy students at the same time.
Contributions and donations may be made to the Kaskaskia Foundation to benefit any scholarship or college program or establish a new endowment to continue a loved one’s legacy.
