The gift comes from John Elliot, a Kent State University graduate, and his wife Fonda. The Elliot Scholars program will support first-generation students of any major who are in financial need.
Kent State University graduate John Elliot and his wife Fonda have established The Elliot Scholars program, a new scholarship that will provide financial support to first-generation students of any major. It is the most recent in a long string of gifts given to the university by the Elliots.
According to an article on Kent State University’s website, Valoree Vargo, who serves as the university’s vice president for philanthropy and alumni engagement and is the CEO of the Kent State University Foundation, was quoted as saying of the couple’s contributions to the university, “The Elliots continue to find ways to fundamentally change the face of Kent State University through their innovative ideas and philanthropy. As true partners to the university, they listen to what our students need and help our administration co-create ideas, programs, positions and scholarships that help set our university and students apart. We are deeply grateful to John and Fonda for the lives they are changing.”
John Elliot graduated from Kent State University in 1970 with a Bachelor of Science in Architecture. He worked as an architect, and in 1982, he and Fonda established American Medical Facilities Management LLC, which is a long term care company. The Elliots have given a total of $13 million to Kent State University through various gifts and endowments to support architecture, healthcare design, design innovation, and global education. Their gifts have established scholarships, professorships, and more. The John Elliot Center for Architecture and Environmental Design was named to recognize John’s continued university support.
The pilot for the Elliot Scholars Program will give students of any major the opportunity to pursue their education with fewer financial barriers in their way. In addition to the financial support, students who are Elliot Scholars will also receive various enrichment opportunities and will be provided with wraparound support services throughout their journey to help minimize the difficulties that come along with transitioning to college. Forty students will be in the program’s first cohort in the Fall 2025 semester.
Kent State’s President Todd Diacon said, “On behalf of the Kent State community, I would like to express deep gratitude to John and Fonda Elliot for their continued support of our university. The Elliot Scholars program will be a keystone component in the future of many fortunate Kent State students. It will differentiate the university, change students’ lives and establish a meaningful, ongoing cohort of collective scholars who will learn, grow, live and experience their educational journeys as one.”
Speaking of his and his wife’s decision to start the Elliot Scholars Program, John said, “Fonda and I feel deeply that giving back to the place that helped us succeed is imperative, and even more importantly, supporting the next generation of students who are seeking a degree to improve their lives. There are so many first-generation students who are working hard and doing well academically but don’t qualify for either need-based aid or merit-based aid for one reason or another. We hope The Elliot Scholars program can provide these students with the tools they need to get to Kent State, succeed in earning their degrees and changing their futures for the better.”
For more information about Kent State University, visit the school’s website.