I wanted to take a few minutes to share with you some of the wonderful experiences our family has had since Aiden was first awarded the scholarship last summer.

First, the scholarship has removed a significant part of the financial burden by taking care of Aiden’s housing and dining costs. Not only will this benefit Aiden financially when he is ready to launch into his professional career, but it also helps him focus more on academic and leadership opportunities as he does not have to work as many hours each semester.

Another very beneficial aspect of the GLS scholarship has been the mentorship that has been provided to him. Aiden was excited to attend his first KSU game (go Cats!) in August where he met some of the GLS mentors and benefactors. He had the opportunity to talk with these experienced professionals and ask them questions and make valuable connections. Everyone was kind and sincere in their desire to help form strong leaders of Aiden and his fellow scholarship recipient, Paxton Etheridge. Since that time, Aiden has been in regular contact with his personal mentor, Cliff Gilbert, who provides him with sage advice, guidance, and resources he can use as he continues his academic career at KSU.

I feel that the GLS scholarship has already borne much fruit. Just in his first semester, Aiden has engaged in leadership opportunities above and beyond what he may have considered had he not been in The Gentleman’s Leadership Society scholarship program. He started an inter-mural ultimate Frisbee team, joined an ultimate Frisbee club team, and joined the competitive aero design team all while adjusting to college life and taking some challenging classes. This semester he will start in his role as a student ambassador for the Engineering department and is looking for other opportunities to give back to the KSU community.

As parents of a college-age young man, I can honestly say that having these experienced mentors providing guidance and input to Aiden during his formational time at KSU allowed Darren and I to breathe a little easier. An African proverb proclaims that “It takes a village to raise a child” and we are so grateful for the village that we have been given through the Gentleman’s Leadership Society scholarship program. I hope that the program continues to expand because the young men they are helping to mold will be the next generation of leaders in our communities.