Scholarship luncheon raises $100,000
The 2014 Karen Possehl Women’s Endowment Scholars pose for a picture with Karen Possehl
One of the eight women honored at the 10th annual Karen Possehl Women’s Endowment luncheon May 21 had been kidnapped by her mother, and had to eventually change her name to hide from her physically abusive dad.
Another ran away from home at age 13; at age 9, her mother had burned down her family home on Christmas Eve in anger, rendering them homeless for Christmas and some time beyond. Most had been divorced at least once. Many had to leave abusive relationships to gain their freedom to pursue higher education.
Yet all are exceptional UCCS students, with GPAs within spitting distance of a perfect 4.0. More importantly, they now have more stable, healthier home environments than those they came from.
Effective this May, all are UCCS graduates thanks to the Karen Possehl Women’s Endowment. The annual KPWE luncheon drew 450 attendees to the Gallogly Events Center.
These Karen Possehl Women’s Endowment scholars are the living embodiment of the phrase, “Nothing is impossible: but sometimes, it just takes a little longer.” These words were spoken by Nancy Lewis, who gave a keynote speech at the luncheon as the Unstoppable Woman of 2014, an annual award designated to a woman who embodies success and engagement with the Pikes Peak region community.
Lewis, who received a UCCS bachelor’s degree in 1980 (and once took communication courses from now-Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak), has played an important role in Colorado Springs civic life for 50 years, including as head of the city’s Parks and Recreation division. She also played a critical role helping secure a $2 million commitment for a Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic at UCCS.
“When I look down the list of Unstoppable Women who preceded me,” said Lewis about prior honorees, which have included Colorado Springs’ first female mayor among other key influencers, “what I really want to know is, ‘Why aren’t we in charge?’”
Some of the graduating KPWE scholars may change that. Video profiles were shown at the luncheon of each student: Lani Duran, Tabitha Barile, Ingrid Henderson, Laura Horvath, Sarah Lang, Maryellen Lavandar, Kimberly Warren and Nicole Wilder.
Selected as Karen Possehl scholars based on their need and potential, each recipient received not only monetary support, but also community mentorships, peer counseling and child care support to help these women concentrate on their education.
Denver residents Karen and Jim Possehl made a lead gift in 1998 to endow the scholarship program. Their generous continued support (including $65,000 donated in connection with this luncheon) has been joined by that of hundreds of community donors. At this luncheon, attendees contributed more than $36,000 in gifts, for an event total of more than $100,000.
The 2014 graduating scholars are among 141 KPWE scholars who have received $684,010 in support since the program’s inception. Despite the outsized obstacles these women have overcome, 94 percent have received bachelor’s degrees or are on target to do so.
One of these is Laura Horvath, who was married at age 18 and was a stay-at-home mom with four kids by age 25 before furthering her education at UCCS thanks to the KPWE program. In her video testimonial, she cited a silver lining of her experience: “What’s really special is that we can say that our entire family is in school all at the same time.”
For more information or to make a gift to the Karen Possehl Women’s Endowment, contact 719-255-5100 or visit cufund.org/kpwe